Protestor Activity Risk to Infrastructure and Public Safety 2022-09-05
2022-09-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Protestors are causing disruption and damage to critical infrastructure, raising concerns about public safety.
What steps she is taking to ensure that activities by protestors do not create excessive risk to national infrastructure and public safety.
We live in a vibrant, open country where we all enjoy the right to lawful, peaceful protest. However, I am increasingly incensed by the attention-seeking antics of a small band of publicity-hungry lawbreakers intent on causing disruption for the law-abiding majority. Those who trespass and cause criminal damage should face the full force of the law.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to ensure safety from protestors' activities were not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Protestors are gluing themselves to parts of national infrastructure, causing disruption and requiring specialist skills from the police.
Does the Home Secretary need to give the police more powers to deter such activities?
First and foremost, she asks about police powers. I give credit and pay tribute to the police because they use specialist skills to de-glue or de-bond. Had we not seen the measures introduced in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 earlier this year thrown out by Labour Lords, the police would have had the powers to deal with these types of protests. Of course, the Public Order Bill will reaffirm those powers.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific new powers for dealing with protestors were not committed to, only reference to future legislation
Response accuracy