Policing of protests

Home Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 29 Nov 2023 Closed: 24 May 2024 Parliament page
9 Recommendations
8 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
1 Letter
2 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
1 May
2024
Correspondence
25 Apr
2024
Report published
27 Feb
2024
Report published
12 Dec
2023
Oral evidence
12 Dec
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
6 Dec
2023
Oral evidence
6 Dec
2023
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
12 Dec 2023
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Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes · Metropolitan Police Service Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist · Metropolitan Police Chief Constable Chris Haward · National Police Chiefs' Council Dame Sara Khan Robin Simcox · Commission for Countering Extremism The Lord Walney · House of Lords
6 Dec 2023
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Ben Jamal · Palestinian Solidarity Campaign Chris Nineham · Stop the War Coalition Dr Dave Rich · Community Security Trust Gideon Falter · Campaign Against Antisemitism Yasmine Adam · Muslim Association of Britain
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Policing of protests HC 369 27 Feb 2024 17 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
3 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report - Policing of protests
Initiate post-legislative scrutiny of Public Order Act 2023 two years after Royal Assent.
We recommend that the Government carries out post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023, to begin two years after it received Royal Assent. (Paragraph 24) Israel-Gaza protests
Government Response
The government's response discusses the Police Uplift Programme and efforts to maintain officer numbers and develop workforce plans, completely unrelated to the recommendation for post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023.
Home Office
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5 Conclusion Deferred
Third Report - Policing of protests
Provide urgent government response to Lord Walney's review on protecting elected representatives' offices.
We are aware that Lord Walney’s review, which will look at whether powers for enhanced protection for public spaces could be extended to offices of elected representatives, is with the Home Office. We look forward to a much more urgent … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines police funding for 2024-25, including maintaining officer numbers and reviewing the police funding formula, but does not address the recommendation regarding Lord Walney's review on enhanced protection for elected representatives' offices.
Home Office
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6 Conclusion Deferred
Third Report - Policing of protests
Balance between protest rights and daily life generally maintained during recent protests.
There is clearly a balance to be struck between the right of people to protest and the right of people to go about their daily lives. We wholeheartedly support both these rights and recognise that finding the balance between competing … Read more
Government Response
The government's response focuses on tackling hate crime through existing legislation and police resources, stating it does not intend to publish a Hate Crime Strategy, rather than directly addressing the committee's conclusion on the balance of protest rights and police operational independence.
Home Office
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7 Conclusion Deferred
Third Report - Policing of protests
Repetitive protests significantly strain police resources, impacting other duties and officer wellbeing.
The repetitive nature of the recent large Israel-Gaza protests places considerable resource constraints on the police. This places additional pressure on the Met, which, having failed to meet the Uplift target, already struggles to meet the regular demands of policing … Read more
Government Response
The government's response outlines its strengthened approach to tackling extremism, including changes to Prevent Duty Guidance and a new definition of extremism, without addressing the committee's concerns about police resource constraints and officer wellbeing due to repetitive protests.
Home Office
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8 Conclusion Deferred
Third Report - Policing of protests
Consider increasing protest organisers' notice period for informing police if protests continue.
Should these protests continue week after week, the Home Office should consider amending requirements for protest organisers, such as increasing the notice period for protest organisers to inform the police from the current six days, to allow the police to … Read more
Government Response
The government defers action on amending protest organiser requirements, stating it will respond to the recommendations of the Independent Review into Political Violence and Disruption led by Lord Walney 'in due course'.
Home Office
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17 Recommendation Deferred
Third Report - Policing of protests
Publish Home Office response to Lord Walney’s review by May 2024 deadline.
We recognise the work completed by Lord Walney in his role as the independent adviser on political violence and disruption. Given that the review considers evidence relating to the ongoing protests, the Home Office should consider and publish its response … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges Lord Walney's Independent Review into Political Violence and Disruption and states it will respond to the report's recommendations in due course, without committing to the requested May 2024 deadline.
Home Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 17 of 9 classified
Accepted 7
Acknowledged 2
Deferred 6
Rejected 2
Total 9 recs + 8 conclusions
Correspondence 1 letter
1 May 2024 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Home Secretary regarding the Policing of Protests Government Response, dated 26 April 2024
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