Pro-Palestinian activists are preparing to defy a police ban on staging a march outside the BBC’s headquarters, which senior officials fear would lead to disruption at a nearby synagogue.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) had planned with other groups to gather outside the broadcaster’s home in Portland Place on Saturday before marching to Whitehall.

But the Metropolitan Police imposed restrictions under the Public Order Act last week to prevent them from gathering in the area amid concerns that Jewish worshippers at the nearby Central Synagogue could be harassed.

The synagogue is a four-minute walk from Langham Street, where the BBC’s Broadcasting House is based.

Police warned that they intend to arrest anyone deliberately defying the restrictions and pledged to put “significant resources” on the streets to enforce the ban. 

Protest organisers are promising the defy the restriction and have said that they still intend to march, this time from Whitehall to Broadcasting House.

In a social media post issued before the planned demonstration, the PSC stated: “New start point – March for Palestine: Whitehall, marching towards BBC. 12 noon.

“The march for Palestine on Saturday Jan 18 will assemble at Whitehall at 12 noon and march towards the BBC. Let’s make this the biggest protest yet!”