Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Protestor Activity: Risk to Infrastructure and Public Safety

Monday 5 September 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Protestor activities are raising concerns about risks to national infrastructure and public safety.
  • The Home Secretary expresses frustration with lawbreakers causing disruption for law-abiding citizens.
  • The Home Secretary credits the police for using specialist skills to manage protestors and mentions the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Protestors are causing disruption and damage to critical infrastructure, raising concerns about public safety.

Question

What steps she is taking to ensure that activities by protestors do not create excessive risk to national infrastructure and public safety.

Answer from Priti Patel

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.

Not addressed: Specific steps to ensure safety from protestors' activities were not provided

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Q2 Harriett Baldwin Con West Worcestershire
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Protestors are gluing themselves to parts of national infrastructure, causing disruption and requiring specialist skills from the police.

Question

Does the Home Secretary need to give the police more powers to deter such activities?

Answer from Priti Patel

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific new powers for dealing with protestors were not committed to, only reference to future legislation

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