Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Not Addressed
No evidence of 'two-tier policing' suppressing peaceful protest last summer.
Conclusion
The right to protest is fundamental in our democracy and we would take seriously any evidence that peaceful protest was being suppressed based on the political views expressed. However, we have seen no evidence that this was the case during the summer. Far from being evidence of ‘two-tier policing’, the policing response last summer was entirely appropriate given the levels of violence and criminality that were on display. It was disgraceful to see unsubstantiated commentary about ‘two-tier policing’ undermining the efforts of police officers who served bravely in the face of violence. (Conclusion, Paragraph 75) 37
Government response summary AI-generated
The government praises the police's response to the summer disorder, acknowledging their leadership and bravery. However, it states this was despite existing systems and expresses a desire to ensure policing has the necessary tools and resources to deal with any future disorder, without directly engaging with the committee's findings on 'two-tier policing'.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
The scenes of violent disorder witnessed during the summer were deeply disturbing. Police officers across the country demonstrated exceptional leadership and bravery in quelling the violent disorder. The co-ordinated public order response between police forces across the country was vital to showing that the criminals responsible for that violence would not get away with it. However, this was the result of the exemplary leadership and partnership shown by police leaders that operated in spite of, not because of, the systems in place, and the Government is keen to ensure policing have the necessary tools and resources that it needs to deal with any future disorder.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗