Recommendation 11

We have serious concerns about the new offence being included in Part 3 of the PCSC Bill, especially given the broad drafting which would catch non-violent protest. Protests are by their nature liable to cause serious annoyance and inconvenience and criminalising such behaviour may dissuade individuals from participating in peaceful protest. Under the current law there are a plethora of offences already available to the police, such as obstructing the highway. As a matter of practice, where a more specific offence is available the police should charge that offence unless there is a strong justification for not doing so.