Police to be given greater powers to restrict protests

POLICE are to be given greater powers to restrict protests by allowing them to consider the “cumulative impact” of repeated demonstrations.

- DANNY LAWSON

The measures follow frequent pro-Palestinian demonstrations including an event in London on Saturday which saw almost 500 arrests.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said repeated large-scale protests had caused “considerable fear” for the Jewish community.

The Government will amend Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 to explicitly allow the police to take account of the cumulative impact of frequent protests on local areas in order to impose conditions on public processions and assemblies.