UK police to obtain greater powers to restrict protests

Move follows Thursday’s deadly knife and car-ramming attack on a synagogue in Manchester

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A protester is taken away by police officers at a 'Lift The Ban' demonstration in support of the proscribed group Palestine Action, calling for the recently imposed ban to be lifted in Trafalgar Square, central London, on October 4, 2025.

(AFP)

UK police are to be given greater powers to restrict protests as a minister said repeated large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations had caused “considerable fear” for the Jewish community.

The government initiative follows Thursday’s deadly knife and car-ramming attack on a synagogue in the northwestern city of Manchester.

A pro-Palestinian demonstration in central London went ahead on Saturday despite pleas from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the capital’s Metropolitan Police to delay it.

The government said police would be authorised to consider the “cumulative impact” of protests when deciding to impose limits on protesters.