The UK government has announced plans to grant police new powers to curb repeated protests, specifically targeting the ongoing pro-Gaza demonstrations that have taken place in London and other cities for several weeks. The new measures, confirmed by the Home Office, will allow police to consider the "cumulative impact" of protests happening at the same location over consecutive weeks. This could lead to authorities forcing organizers to move demonstrations to alternative sites, with arrests for non-compliance.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that these changes are necessary to address a "gap in the law," ensuring communities are not repeatedly disrupted and that public order is maintained. The powers will amend the Public Order Act 1986, and Mahmood also intends to review all existing anti-protest legislation, potentially strengthening the ability to ban certain protests outright. The announcement follows the recent arrest of nearly 500 people at a protest where support was shown for Palestine Action, an organization proscribed under terrorism laws.
The move has been defended as a necessary step to manage the significant strain on police resources. The head of the Metropolitan Police Federation stated that officers are "emotionally and physically exhausted" from policing the relentless protests. The government maintains it is committed to protecting the right to protest, but must balance this with public safety, especially amid a heightened national terror alert.
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