UK Government Grants Police Broader Powers to Restrict Protests
In a significant move that has reignited the debate over civil liberties and public order, the UK government has announced plans to grant police in England and Wales broader powers to restrict protests. The new measures will explicitly allow forces to consider the "cumulative impact" of repeated demonstrations on local communities when imposing conditions.
The announcement comes in the wake of a series of large-scale pro-Palestinian protests in London and other major cities, including a demonstration last Saturday that saw nearly 500 arrests.
The Catalyst for Change
The decision was framed by the government as a direct response to two key events. First, a tragic attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, which resulted in two fatalities. Second, the continuation of mass protests, which the government argues have created a climate of fear, particularly for the UK's Jewish community.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that the repeated, large-scale protests had caused "significant fear" within the Jewish community, creating an urgent need to rebalance the right to protest with the right of others to "live without fear."
What the New Powers Entail
The core of the change lies in amending Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986. The revised legislation will for the first time give police commanders a statutory basis to consider the total disruptive effect of a series of protests, rather than assessing each one in isolation.
Key Changes to Police Powers:
- The "Cumulative Impact" Clause: Police can now assess the collective disruption caused by repeated protests in a specific area. A protest that might be deemed acceptable on its own could be heavily restricted if it follows a series of other demonstrations.
- Stricter Conditions: Forces will be empowered to impose more stringent conditions on processions and static assemblies, including potentially moving them to alternative locations to minimize repeated disruption to the same community.
- Review of Existing Powers: The Home Secretary has also commissioned a review of all existing public order legislation to ensure powers are sufficient and applied consistently, including the power to ban protests altogether.
The Government's Rationale: Balancing Rights
The government's position is that a new balance must be struck. While the right to protest is a cornerstone of British democracy, ministers argue it cannot be allowed to override the fundamental rights of others to security, peaceful enjoyment of their neighbourhoods, and freedom from intimidation.
"These changes represent an important step to ensure the right to protest is protected, while ensuring everyone feels safe in this country," the Home Secretary concluded.
Criticism and Civil Liberties Concerns
Unsurprisingly, the announcement has been met with strong criticism from human rights organizations and protest groups. Amnesty International UK described the measures as a "rehash" of powers previously attempted by the government, which were later found to be unlawful by the courts.
Critics argue that the new "cumulative impact" measure is dangerously vague and could be used to effectively shut down legitimate, recurring protests on any issue the government or local police force deems disruptive. Organizers of the pro-Palestinian marches see it as a direct attempt to curtail their movement.
A Broader Context
This is not the first time the UK government has sought to expand police powers in relation to protests. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 introduced controversial measures allowing police to impose more conditions on protests deemed too noisy or disruptive.
The current changes can be seen as a further tightening of that framework, specifically targeting the strategy of sustained, repetitive protest that has characterized recent movements.
Conclusion: A New Frontier in Protest Policing
The UK government's decision to grant police the power to assess the "cumulative impact" of protests marks a significant shift in public order policy. It moves the focus from the individual event to the broader pattern of demonstration, giving authorities a powerful new tool to manage public space.
While the government frames this as a necessary measure to protect communities and counter fear, civil liberty groups warn it represents a dangerous erosion of the right to dissent. The true test of these new powers will come in their application: whether they are used proportionately to prevent genuine disruption and intimidation, or whether they stifle legitimate, persistent opposition. The ongoing tension between liberty and security continues to define the landscape of protest in modern Britain.