Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Third Report - Policing of protests
Home Affairs Committee
HC 369
Published 27 February 2024
Recommendations
3
Deferred
Initiate post-legislative scrutiny of Public Order Act 2023 two years after Royal Assent.
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government carries out post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023, to begin two years after it received Royal Assent. (Paragraph 24) Israel-Gaza protests
Government Response Summary
The government's response discusses the Police Uplift Programme and efforts to maintain officer numbers and develop workforce plans, completely unrelated to the recommendation for post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023.
Home Office
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17
Deferred
Publish Home Office response to Lord Walney’s review by May 2024 deadline.
Recommendation
We recognise the work completed by Lord Walney in his role as the independent adviser on political violence and disruption. Given that the review considers evidence relating to the ongoing protests, the Home Office should consider and publish its response …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges Lord Walney's Independent Review into Political Violence and Disruption and states it will respond to the report's recommendations in due course, without committing to the requested May 2024 deadline.
Home Office
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Conclusions (4)
5
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 44
We are aware that Lord Walney’s review, which will look at whether powers for enhanced protection for public spaces could be extended to offices of elected representatives, is with the Home Office. We look forward to a much more urgent response from the Government.
Government Response Summary
The government's response outlines police funding for 2024-25, including maintaining officer numbers and reviewing the police funding formula, but does not address the recommendation regarding Lord Walney's review on enhanced protection for elected representatives' offices.
6
Conclusion
Deferred
There is clearly a balance to be struck between the right of people to protest and the right of people to go about their daily lives. We wholeheartedly support both these rights and recognise that finding the balance between competing rights can be challenging, particularly in terms of operational policing …
Government Response Summary
The government's response focuses on tackling hate crime through existing legislation and police resources, stating it does not intend to publish a Hate Crime Strategy, rather than directly addressing the committee's conclusion on the balance of protest rights and police operational independence.
7
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 67
The repetitive nature of the recent large Israel-Gaza protests places considerable resource constraints on the police. This places additional pressure on the Met, which, having failed to meet the Uplift target, already struggles to meet the regular demands of policing London. The protests further drain police resource with more than …
Government Response Summary
The government's response outlines its strengthened approach to tackling extremism, including changes to Prevent Duty Guidance and a new definition of extremism, without addressing the committee's concerns about police resource constraints and officer wellbeing due to repetitive protests.
8
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 68
Should these protests continue week after week, the Home Office should consider amending requirements for protest organisers, such as increasing the notice period for protest organisers to inform the police from the current six days, to allow the police to prepare better.
Government Response Summary
The government defers action on amending protest organiser requirements, stating it will respond to the recommendations of the Independent Review into Political Violence and Disruption led by Lord Walney 'in due course'.