The measures follow frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations
Police are to be given greater powers to restrict protests by allowing them to consider the “cumulative impact” of repeated demonstrations. The measures follow frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations including an event in London on Saturday which saw almost 500 arrests.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said repeated large-scale protests had caused “considerable fear” for the Jewish community.
The Government will amend Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 to explicitly allow the police to take account of the cumulative impact of frequent protests on local areas in order to impose conditions on public processions and assemblies.
The Home Secretary will also review existing legislation to ensure powers are sufficient and are being applied consistently by police forces – this will include powers to ban protests outright. She said: “The right to protest is a fundamental freedom in our country. However, this freedom must be balanced with the freedom of their neighbours to live their lives without fear.
“Large, repeated protests can leave sections of our country, particularly religious communities, feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared to leave their homes.
“This has been particularly evident in relation to the considerable fear within the Jewish community, which has been expressed to me on many occasions in these recent difficult days.
“These changes mark an important step in ensuring we protect the right to protest while ensuring all feel safe in this country.”
It comes after the chairwoman of the Metropolitan Police Federation claimed yesterday “enough is enough” as she said officers policing another protest in London are “emotionally and physically exhausted”. Arrests have begun at a pro-Palestine protest in London that is taking place today (4 October) in defiance of calls by politicians and police bosses to reconsider after the Manchester synagogue terror attack.
Paula Dodds said: “Enough is enough. Our concentration should be on keeping people safe at a time when the country is on heightened alert from a terrorist attack. And instead officers are being drawn in to facilitate these relentless protests. And we are coming under attack for doing so. How can this be right?
“This appalling level of abuse will not be tolerated and we expect the stiffest sanctions for the perpetrators. We are supporting officers as best we can.”
She added: “There aren’t enough of us. Hard-working police officers are continually having days off cancelled, working longer shifts and being moved from other areas to facilitate these protests. We are emotionally and physically exhausted. What are politicians and senior police officers going to do about it?”
