Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Third Report - Policing of protests
Home Affairs Committee
HC 369
Published 27 February 2024
Recommendations
11
Accepted
Para 71
Review Strategic Policing Requirement to ensure public order models suit evolving protest approaches.
Recommendation
In the absence of a national workforce plan and strategy, the Home Office and partners within policing must review the Strategic Policing Requirement and supporting documents, to ensure that public order requirements and operating models remain fit for purpose in …
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Government Response Summary
The Home Office commits to reviewing the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) every two years, with the next review in February 2025, to assess national threats including public disorder. It will also maintain a repository for suggested updates to the SPR.
Home Office
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12
Accepted
Ensure police funding accurately reflects demand and provides adequate resources for the service.
Recommendation
We recently called for an urgent review and update of the Police Allocation Formula, setting out points for future review in advance to facilitate effective planning by PCCs and forces. The Home Office must ensure that police funding recognises the …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirms a total police funding settlement of up to £18.5 billion for 2024-25 and recognises the current police funding formula is out of date. It states it is currently undertaking a review to introduce new funding arrangements as soon as possible, with a focus on quality and longevity.
Home Office
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15
Accepted
Para 113
Publish responses to commissioned reports on freedom of speech and community safety.
Recommendation
The Government has commissioned reports to increase the evidence base in the complex areas of law where the right to freedom of speech intersects with the need for all communities to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. …
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Government Response Summary
The government outlines actions it has already taken regarding tackling extremism, including reinforcing the role of the CCE, changing the Prevent Duty Guidance, strengthening the focus of Prevent on ideology, increased work across government to tackle antisemitism and blasphemy, and the Home Secretary welcomed the report by Dame Sara Khan and Sir Mark Rowley on the challenges of tackling extremism and on 14 March, DLUHC announced a new definition of extremism.
Home Office
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16
Accepted
Para 114
Publish Home Office response to ‘Operating with Impunity’ report by April 2024 deadline.
Recommendation
We find it surprising that the Government has not yet responded to the reports it commissioned from the Commission for Countering Extremism regarding hateful extremism, particularly the report ‘Operating with Impunity’ by Dame Sara Khan and Sir Mark Rowley. Sir …
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Government Response Summary
The government outlines several actions it has taken to strengthen its approach to tackling extremism, including reinforcing the CCE, changing Prevent Duty Guidance, and announcing a new definition of extremism which draws on the 'Operating with Impunity' report. However, it does not explicitly commit to publishing a formal response to the report by the requested April 2024 deadline.
Home Office
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Conclusions (3)
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 22
There is a balance to be struck between the right of people to protest and the right of others to go about their everyday lives and to feel safe. The police should have the appropriate powers to safeguard the exercise of both these rights. The differing scale, nature and frequency …
Government Response Summary
The government highlights the Public Order Act 2023, detailing its new measures to address highly disruptive protest tactics while protecting the right to protest, noting the legislation is already partly in force.
2
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 23
Disruptive tactics by protest organisers led to the Government enacting new legislation to provide the police with more powers, via the Public Order Act 2023. Some of these powers were used for the first time during the policing of the King’s Coronation, but the occasion was not necessarily a good …
Government Response Summary
The government states it works closely with police to ensure they have the necessary tools to minimise serious disorder, citing the Public Order Act 2023 and further measures in the Crime and Justice Bill as evidence of this ongoing commitment.
4
Conclusion
Accepted
Para 43
Whilst we respect the right to protest, we are clear that no one, including elected representatives, their families, and their staff, should be made to feel unsafe by protest activity outside their home. Likewise, no one should be intimidated when they are coming and going from their place of work. …
Government Response Summary
The government commits to reviewing the Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) in February 2025, which will include considering national threats like public disorder and incorporating suggested updates.