The Metropolitan Police has called in extra officers to patrol London tomorrow, as anti-capitalist groups target the premises of multinational companies.
Protests are expected against companies involved in the manufacture of arms, including Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce, oil companies such as Shell and BP, and other prominent firms and corporations such as Nike and the BBC.
A list of 60 companies to be targeted by anti-capitalists was published earlier this week on web site http://www.ourmayday.org.uk.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter, who is responsible for all Territorial Policing Operations, said:
"We have increased our existing operation to approximately 4,000 officers to help us keep London and Londoners safe and disruption to a minimum.
Major events planned for the capital on May Day 2003
"I'd like to reassure not just businesses but all Londoners that the Met is prepared and we have a responsive policing operation in place to deal with any eventuality.
"We will continue to monitor the situation right up to and including the 1st of May itself and can make quick adjustments to our policing plan."
4,500 officers were deployed last year, and 6,000 the year before, to control crowds and prevent criminal damage.
The Met has also set up a phone line to run all day on the 1st of May. Businesses should call 020 7593 7950 for details of how the day's protests may affect them. Those with further queries can talk to a member of MPS staff, daily between 0800 and 1800.
Commenting on the official May Day march and rally - which are run each year by the TUC - union general secretary Elect Brendan Barber said:
"Trade unions have been celebrating May Day for well over a century, and tomorrow, as ever, the theme is for improved working conditions for workers around the world.
"UK workers enjoy fewer rights than our European colleagues, and the TUC believes that the government shouldn't be dissuaded from granting new rights to British workers by the loud red tape' protestations of the employer lobby."
April 30, 2003 17:30
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