The home secretary has extended a ban on marches in the capital to include the City of London after concerns over a planned demonstration by the far right English Defence League.
Theresa May outlawed marches in Tower Hamlets and four neighbouring boroughs last week in an attempt to prevent an EDL demonstration through one of the UK's biggest Muslim communities on Saturday.
On Wednesday, May gave permission to extend the ban on marching to the City of London, which includes the Square Mile and its surrounding areas, following a request from police chiefs. Assistant commissioner Frank Armstrong of the City of London police said: "This is not a decision we take lightly, but is, we believe, an appropriate response to prevent a displaced march or demonstration resulting in serious public disorder within the City of London."
Police said the original ban was issued following information that the march could cause "serious public disorder, violence and damage". They added: "Tactically we believe this is the best option to prevent this."
Announcing the ban, Chief Superintendent Julia Pendry warned EDL supporters to stay away, adding: "We do not want people coming into the areas to attend these events."
The order does not prevent the EDL from holding a static protest and its website says there will be a "static demonstration" in Tower Hamlets on Saturday, although there are no details. Some anti-racist campaigners have said they will hold a counter demonstration.
The EDL march had been vehemently opposed by community leaders, among them the two local MPs and the east London borough's mayor, as well as Muslim and Jewish groups. Fears that it could spark violence were exacerbated after the riots this month.
The blanket ban on marches will last for 30 days and has been criticised by some as a counter-productive move that will prevent a range of other legitimate protests.
The EDL emerged in Luton and has staged a number of demonstrations over the past two years – many of which have descended into violence. The group came under scrutiny earlier this year after the Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik repeatedly praised it in his 1,500-page manifesto, saying he had 600 EDL supporters as Facebook friends and had spoken with "tens of EDL members and leaders".
Members of the group deny any official contact with Breivik and insist their organisation is peaceful, non-racist and opposed to extremism. A Guardian investigation into the EDL found repeated racism and threats of violence among supporters.
A spokesman for the Met said: "We are currently in discussions with organisers regarding their intentions."