… Hours before a strike in London on 2 February, Deliveroo emailed its partner restaurants urging them to call the police and “request they clear individuals from the location” if they felt “under threat” from the riders or saw them “loitering” or engaging in “anti-social behaviour”.

…Alex Marshall, the president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB)…told openDemocracy that it amounted to “deliberately inflammatory” language against a group who were already often victimised.

Although there was no notable police presence at the 2 February action in London, Deliveroo riders held a second strike on Valentine’s Day, which Marshall said met “an unpleasant end” when it was ambushed by around 15 officers and four police vans.

Marshall said the day had been “amazing” and turned “menacing” only when police arrived…

The strikers and the police disagree on what happened next.

…the Metropolitan Police, questioned by openDemocracy, denied any such order had been put in place, or that officers had done anything to stop the group striking…

Deliveroo says it will enter collective bargaining with riders on pay in April…

The platform aims to provide workers with “flexible work… attractive earning opportunities and protections”, it said…