Police are to be given new powers to stop protests after nearly 500 were arrested at pro-Palestinean protests over the weekend in London
Under the planned legislation They will be able to stop a protest based on the ‘cumulative impact’ – if it has taken place at the same site for weeks on end or caused repeated disorder
They will be also able to impose conditions to force organisers to hold protests elsewhere
The changes, which will need legislation, will be brought forward ‘as soon as possible’
Shabana Mahmood, home secretary: ‘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’
adding
“These changes mark an important step in ensuring we protect the right to protest while ensuring all feel safe in this country.”
