Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Policing of Protests

Monday 21 October 2024 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government values peaceful protest as part of the democratic tradition and regularly reviews protest legislation.
  • Police consider Hezbollah a proscribed organisation and brief officers accordingly before protests.
  • Minister acknowledges police struggle with crime prevention due to duties for repeat protests and supports recruitment of more neighbourhood police officers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Crime & Law Enforcement Democracy & Elections
Context

The question addresses concerns about the number of powers to restrict protest, leading to peaceful protesters being arrested. It references previous government laws pushed through despite opposition from senior policing figures.

Question

If she will commission an independent review into the adequacy of legislation on the policing of protests. The right to protest and the courage of people demanding change have given us many social advancements but powers restricting protest are resulting in peaceful protesters being arrested and sentenced to lengthy periods in prison. When will a comprehensive review take place, with a view to repealing unnecessary restrictions?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

Like my hon. Friend, the Government value peaceful protest as part of our proud democratic tradition and regularly review the adequacy of existing legislation. The previous government's passed laws will undergo post-legislative scrutiny in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commissioning an independent review into the adequacy of legislation on policing protests

How: Like My Hon. Friend, Regularly Review

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Q2 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concerns raised about the Metropolitan police officers saying that describing Hezbollah as a terror group is opinion, leading to offenders identified by photos on social media only.

Question

The right to protest and courage in demanding change have given us many social advancements. However, recent footage shows Metropolitan police officers stating that labeling Hezbollah as a terror group is a matter of 'opinion' at a march where support for Hezbollah was displayed openly. Will the Minister ensure all officers are briefed on proscribed statuses so offenders can be arrested on the spot?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

We are clear that Hezbollah is a proscribed organisation, and police take care in briefing officers before protests. The way protests are policed is operationally independent, but we commend the work of frontline officers dealing with many protests over the last year.

Not addressed: Ensuring all officers are briefed on proscribed statuses so offenders can be arrested on the spot

How: Operationally Independent, Deal With

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Q3 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Southwark police officers reported struggling to prevent or solve crime due to extraction duties for policing repeat protests elsewhere.

Question

Metropolitan police officers said they struggle with crime prevention and solving due to extraction duties for policing repeat protests elsewhere in London. Does the Minister believe new powers are needed for the Met to refuse permission for repetitive protests, or should it use existing powers better to resolve extraction issues?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

Police numbers are an issue, and this Government recruit more neighbourhood police officers for increased presence. I recognize the issue with extraction duties for dealing with protests. Clearly, we want all criminals dealt with by the police, and sufficient numbers of police officers to do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Belief on new powers or better use of existing ones

How: Police Numbers Are An Issue, Sufficient Numbers Of Police Officers

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Q4 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Southwark police reported struggling to prevent or solve crime due to extraction duties for policing repeat protests elsewhere.

Question

Southwark police officers reported struggling with crime prevention and solving due to extraction duties for policing repeat protests elsewhere in London. Does the Minister believe new powers are needed for the Met to refuse permission for repetitive protests, or should it use existing powers better to resolve extraction issues?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

Police numbers are an issue, and this Government recruit more neighbourhood police officers for increased presence. I recognize the issue with extraction duties for dealing with protests. Clearly, we want all criminals dealt with by the police, and sufficient numbers of police officers to do that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Belief on new powers or better use of existing ones

How: Police Numbers Are An Issue, Sufficient Numbers

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Q5 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Reported antisemitic and Islamophobic offences at many recent protests, contributing to a significant increase in religiously aggravated hate crimes.

Question

Respectful of the right to peaceful protest but concerned about reported antisemitic and Islamophobic offences at recent protests. Tell MAMA recorded highest number of anti-Muslim incidents, CST reports almost 500% rise in antisemitic incidents. Can the Minister reassure on what Government will do to help police continue keeping communities safe?

Answer from Diana R. Johnson

Figures are shocking, this Government clear that antisemitism or Islamophobia have no place in society. Meetings discuss tackling rise, police take responsibilities seriously and tackle these issues without fear or favor.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to keep communities safe from hate crimes at protests

How: Figures Are Shocking, Meetings Discuss Tackling

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