Clashes Erupt as ‘Canary Wharf Spartans’ Confront Police During London Anti-Immigration Protests (VIDEO)

Tensions flared in London on Saturday, August 31, 2025, as masked demonstrators identifying themselves as the “Canary Wharf Spartans” clashed with Metropolitan Police during anti-immigration protests on the Isle of Dogs.

The group, part of a wave of nationwide demonstrations, gathered outside the Britannia International Hotel—currently housing asylum seekers—before attempting to enter the nearby Canary Wharf Shopping Centre. Police officers blocked their entry, citing a Section 60AA order requiring face coverings to be removed, and issued a dispersal order.

When the group resisted, a violent confrontation broke out inside the shopping centre. According to reports, one police officer was punched in the face, and pepper spray deployed by officers may have affected a child in the crowd. Four arrests were confirmed for offenses including assault on police, common assault, drug possession, and public order violations, BBC News reported.

The protest formed part of broader unrest across the UK, ignited after the July 8 arrest of an Ethiopian asylum seeker in Epping over alleged sexual assaults. Anger has been further stoked by record immigration figures, with 111,084 asylum applications lodged by June 2025 and more than 32,000 migrants currently housed in hotels.

Far-right groups, including Britain First, have amplified the demonstrations, which have spread to cities such as Epping, Norwich, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle. In Canary Wharf, local residents—including a women-led activist group called the Pink Ladies—have demanded the closure of the Britannia Hotel, citing safety concerns. Counter-protesters, led by Stand Up To Racism, condemned the rallies as racist and divisive.

The UK government continues to face mounting pressure over its handling of the asylum system. While the Labour government has pledged to phase out the use of hotels for migrant housing by 2029, critics such as Nigel Farage warn that rising tensions could lead to further unrest if immediate measures are not taken.