Police Spark Outrage Over Road Closures

The Metropolitan Police have stirred up quite a stir by blocking roads in London to celebrate Pakistan‘s Independence Day. This decision has drawn attention because it comes just weeks after the police enforced strict measures during the Euro 2024 football activities.

People in Ilford and Ealing will experience road closures to mark the occasion. In Ilford, Ilford Lane will be closed from 5 PM tonight until 1 AM. Meanwhile, Ealing will see multiple closures affecting Southall Broadway from 6 PM to midnight on three consecutive nights.

Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has used this situation to highlight a noticeable difference in police enforcement. Just before England‘s match against Spain in the final, the police issued a statement expressing concerns about potential anti-social behavior and warned that gatherings might violate a dispersal order in Westminster.

This has led to a flurry of discontent on social media, with users questioning the idea of two-tier policing. One person exclaimed, “Yet Football Fans were not allowed. HOW DARE YOU. Two-tier policing, Two-tier Britain.”

While some are criticizing the closures in Southall, others expressed that previous crowds during football events had led to issues. One commenter reminded that England football fans have a notorious reputation for their rough behavior.

Pakistan Independence Day has been celebrated around these areas for many years, with festivities often including parades, singing, and even fireworks. Residents have been known to gather in places like Green Street in Newham to celebrate, and similar road closures have been common during these events.

Redbridge and Ealing boast significant Asian communities, with Redbridge having nearly half of its residents identified as Asian or Asian British, and Ealing following suit with over 30%. The Muslim population in these boroughs also stands out, significantly above national averages.