Police to be given greater powers to restrict protests

Rallies have been taking place in both London and Manchester today, despite condemnation from both police and politicians, as Sam Holder reports

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.”

Police arrest a protestor taking part in the demonstration organised by Defend our Juries in support of Palestine Action. / Credit: PA

A total of 492 people were arrested at a pro-Palestine march in London on Saturday, which took place on in defiance of calls from police and politicians.

The organisers of the protest said that more than a thousand people had gathered at Trafalgar Square to hold a mass silent vigil protesting the proscription of Palestine Action, while the names of Palestinian children killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict were read out.

The vast majority of arrests were for supporting a proscribed organisation, with the ages of those arrested ranging from 18 to 82.

Protesters taking part in a demonstration organised by Defend our Juries, in support of Palestine Action in Trafalgar Square, London. / Credit: PA

Marches went ahead in Manchester and London on Saturday, despite calls for organisers to reconsider in the aftermath of Thursday’s deadly attack at a synagogue in Manchester.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer had urged groups behind the demonstrations and attendees to “respect the grief of British Jews” and avoid causing further pain to mourners.

People take part in a demonstration organised by GM Friends of Palestine at Manchester Cathedral. / Credit: PA

A vicar, who had been sitting with her eyes closed and holding a poster saying “I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action”, was among those arrested and carried out by police.

Some people in the crowd called police “shameful” and one said to officers “thanks for protecting us” as the woman was taken away.

Two elderly men were also seen being carried by each limb to the south-west side of the square, where officers and police vehicles are waiting to process the arrests.

The Met Police has called for Defend Our Juries to delay or cancel their protest following the attack on a synagogue in Manchester / Credit: Peter Byrne/PA

A similar event, held by Greater Manchester Friends of Palestine, also took place.

The leaders of the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police have said covering such protests would stretch resources, as forces deploy extra officers to synagogues and other Jewish buildings to offer protection and reassurance in the aftermath of the attack.

The proscription of Palestine Action has become a focal point of the campaign for activists in recent months.

The previous two events have seen a total of 1,422 people arrested, the majority for supporting a proscribed organisation.