🔗 Share this article

Government officials are set to grant police new authorities to target recurring protests, with a particular focus on taking action against Middle East demonstrations, according to the Interior Ministry.

Latest Detentions and Proposed Changes

This announcement comes just after nearly 500 people were arrested in the capital for showing solidarity for Palestine Action, a prohibited entity. These changes could allow authorities to order frequent protests to be moved to alternative locations.

Shabana Mahmood, is also set to review all legislation regarding demonstrations, with the potential to strengthen powers to ban some demonstrations outright.

Planned Legislative Changes

As part of these measures, Mahmood will implement rapid changes to the Public Order Act 1986, allowing law enforcement to consider the "combined effect" of repeated protests. Specific details will be provided "in due course", as per the announcement.

Should a demonstration has caused what authorities termed "repeated disorder" at the identical site for several consecutive weeks, police would gain the authority to require organizers to relocate the event elsewhere, with those who do not obey risking detention.

Wider Examination and Community Security

The Home Secretary stated that she would "examine current laws to guarantee that powers are adequate and being uniformly enforced", including law enforcement authorities to ban some protests entirely.

"The right to protest is a basic right in our country. Nevertheless, this freedom must be weighed with the freedom of other citizens to live their lives without anxiety," the Home Secretary stated.

"Frequent, sizable demonstrations can leave certain communities, especially faith groups, experiencing insecurity, threatened and fearful of going out. This has been particularly evident in regarding the considerable fear within the Jewish population, which has been communicated with me on numerous instances during these recent difficult days."

"These measures mark an significant move in guaranteeing we safeguard the freedom to demonstrate while ensuring everyone feel safe in this country."

Recent Situation and Police Response

The broader powers appear to be aimed at both mass pro-Gaza demonstrations, which occurred in the capital and various urban centers over a period of weeks, and gatherings organized to support the proscribed organization.

On Saturday, authorities detained about five hundred individuals at the most recent such protest. The event took place despite government officials, among them senior figures, requesting that it be delayed following this week's tragic incident on a synagogue in Manchester.

Law Enforcement Viewpoint

After Saturday's protest, the chair of the Metropolitan Police Federation commented that officers policing protests in London were "emotionally and physically exhausted".

"Enough is enough. Our concentration should be on ensuring public safety at a period when the nation is on increased security from a terrorist attack. Yet police are being pulled away to facilitate these continuous demonstrations," the federation chair stated.

Additional Legal Actions

This development come after demonstration-focused measures in the public safety legislation currently going through parliament, which bans the carrying of face coverings or pyrotechnics at demonstrations, and criminalises the scaling of certain war memorials.