Police dealt with 3,081 protests over summer as 'tension rises'

POLICE across the UK dealt with more than 3,000 protests over three months this summer, amid what a senior officer called “a climate of increasing tension and polarity”.

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Figures from the National Police Chiefs' Council showed that there were 3,081 protests in June, July and August across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This compares to 2,942 last summer, during a time of rioting, and 928 in 2023.

Recent months have been dominated by both mass protest action against the ban on Palestine Action, and demonstrations linked to the housing of asylum-seekers in hotels.

Chairman of the NPCC Gavin Stephens warned that figures in leadership positions should make sure they avoid sowing division in what they say publicly.