Capital prepares for May Day rallies with extra police

One of London's most popular tourist districts has been identified as the area most at risk from violent demonstrations during today's May Day protests by anarchists.

Despite a huge police operation, involving about 4,000 officers from three forces, there are fears that a hard core of protestors will attempt to cause havoc and destruction in the late afternoon and early evening. Some businesses have decided to close today and be boarded up while others have drafted in extra security.

The police have identified an afternoon rally outside Shell UK offices on The Strand as the most likely source of any trouble severe traffic disruption is expected as well as the cost of millions of pounds in policing and lost business. Officers are concerned that violent protestors may also try and confront the police in the surrounding side streets in the Covent Garden area, or move into the West End.

At 4pm, protestors will join forces with a rally of bicycle riders outside Shell UK's offices on The Strand which house their shipping and trading divisions and a spokewoman for Shell said: "We have reviewed our security measures to ensure that our staff and property is protected... it will be business as usual. Everyone has a right to demonstrate and we hope it will be peaceful."

McDonald's, which has been singled out by anti-globalisation demonstrators for attack, has yet to decide whether to close any of their branches, including that on The Strand.

A spokewoman said: "We are continuing to liase closely with the police and will decide which, if any, of our restaurants we should close based on local circumstances."

As well as the rally on The Strand, protestors have planned to demonstrate earlier in the day in London's financial district, against the arms manufacturer, Lockheed Martin and organisers have published a list of 69 possible targets in London, concentrating on arms manufacturers, oil firms, and government departments.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Trotter, who is responsible for policing the demonstrations, said: "The biggest problem is knowing where [protestors] are likely to be – we don't have a focal point – and to make sure we are flexible in our response."

Anarchist groups have used the internet to disseminate their plans. One website reads: "With the war drums beating and the state imposing ever harsher forms of internal control, Mayday 2003 will be our chance to seize the moment and fight back."

Last year the May Day demonstrations were relatively uneventful but the 2001 demonstrations resulted in a major confrontation in which police used the controversial tactic of corralling about 5,000 protestors in Oxford Circus for eight hours. The demonstration led to 96 arrests as well as costing an estimated £20m in lost business, police pay and extra security.