New plans to widen police powers for disruptive protests – BBC News
‘Police could be allowed to shut down protests before they cause serious disruption, under new government plans.’
BBC News, 15th January 2023
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Category: public order
Football banning orders in England and Wales up 230% on last season – The Guardian
‘Football banning orders issued in relation to matches in England and Wales have increased notably in the first half of this season compared with the same period last season, according to police figures.’
The Guardian, 12th January 2023
Source: www.theguardian.com
Leicester disorder: Second man sentenced cites social media influence – BBC News
‘A man sentenced for carrying a knife at a protest in Leicester at the weekend said he was influenced by social media.’
BBC News, 20th September 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
CPS sets out the law on street-based sexual harassment – Crown Prosecution Service
‘Street harassment such as cyber-flashing, up-skirting or the exposure of genitals in a public place are crimes which can and will be prosecuted the CPS has stressed, as new legal guidance is published today.’
Crown Prosecution Service, 8th August 2022
Source: www.cps.gov.uk
Six convicted of abusing BBC Newsnight journalist during protest – The Guardian
‘Five men and a woman who verbally abused a BBC journalist at a protest have been convicted of a public order offence, according to police.’
The Guardian, 2nd August 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
The Public Order Bill ‘Fundamentally Threatens’ UK Democracy – Each Other
‘In the UK, there are several Bills and Acts that may threaten the right to free speech under UK and international law, including the Public Order Bill, The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, The Online Safety Bill to name a few. The right to free speech is protected under Article 10 of the the Human Rights Act (HRA) and under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Freedom of speech protects the right to express and disseminate opinions, ideas and information through any means, as well as providing a tool to hold authorities to account. Quinn McKew, Executive Director of advocacy group Article 19, tells us how the Public Order Bill threatens democracy in the UK.’
Each Other, 15th June 2022
Source: eachother.org.uk
Priti Patel outlaws dangerous tunnelling protests – Home Office”
‘Dangerous tunnelling by protesters will be banned under a new law announced by the Home Secretary today (Tuesday 7 June), as the government acts to end the serious disruption and risk to life this guerrilla protest tactic poses.’
Home Office, 7th June 2022
Source: www.gov.uk
New calls for buffer zones around UK abortion clinics – BBC News
‘Medical leaders in the UK have launched a fresh call for buffer zones to be set up around abortion clinics to prevent activists targeting patients and staff.’
BBC News, 30th May 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Margaret Thatcher statue egg-thrower Jeremy Webster fined – BBC News
‘A university arts chief who threw eggs at a statue of Margaret Thatcher within hours of its installation has been fined £90.’
BBC News, 26th May 2022
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
New Acts – legislation.gov.uk
2022 c. 28 – Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022
2022 c. 27 – Approved Premises (Substance Testing) Act 2022
2022 c. 26 – Glue Traps (Offences) Act 2022
2022 c. 22 – Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022
2022 c. 20 – Professional Qualifications Act 2022
2022 c. 17 – Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022
2022 c. 36 – Nationality and Borders Act 2022
2022 c. 34 – British Sign Language Act 2022
2022 c. 32 – Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
2022 c. 29 – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Act 2022
2022 c. 24 – Cultural Objects (Protection from Seizure) Act 2022
Source: www.legislation.gov.uk
Woman jailed over role in Bristol riot despite mental health issues – The Guardian
‘A judge has jailed a woman for the part she played in last year’s Bristol riot despite hearing she had mental health issues and had run out of medication.’
The Guardian, 14th March 2022
Source: www.theguardian.com
Street preaching and human rights: Overd & Ors – Law & Religion UK
‘In Overd & Ors v The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary [2021] EWHC 3100 (QB), the appellants, Michael Overd, Michael Stockwell Don Karns and Adrian Clark, four evangelical Christians, were arrested at Broadmead shopping centre in Bristol on 6 July 2016 after complaints from members of the public that their street preaching was racist and anti-Islamic and was causing a disturbance. Mr Overd was arrested on suspicion of an offence under s 50 Police Reform Act 2002 and the other three were arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated offence under s 5 Public Order Act 1986. They were detained before being released on bail and, ultimately, prosecuted under s 5 of the 1986 Act, but the prosecutions failed.’
Law & Religion UK, 8th December 2021
Source: lawandreligionuk.com
Bristol ‘Kill the Bill’ protester convicted of trying to endanger police by torching vans – The Independent
‘A protester has been convicted of trying to endanger the life of a police officer by torching a van during a riot after the “Kill the Bill” demonstrations in Bristol earlier this year.’
The Independent, 30th October 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
England given one-match stadium ban following unrest at Euro 2020 final – BBC News
‘England have been ordered to play one match behind closed doors as a punishment for the unrest at Wembley Stadium during the Euro 2020 final. Uefa also imposed a ban for a second game, which is suspended for two years.’
BBC News, 18th October 2021
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
The police bill is not about law and order – it’s about state control – The Guardian
‘Tucked away in the government’s 300-page police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, are various clauses which will have serious implications for the right to protest. The bill seeks to quietly criminalise “serious annoyance”, increase police powers to restrict protests, and give the home secretary discretion over what types of protests are allowed.’
The Guardian, 9th August 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Mark Duggan case was a catalyst’: the 2011 UK riots 10 years on – The Guardian
‘In 4 August 2011, Mark Duggan was shot and killed by police in Tottenham, north London, sparking the largest civil unrest the UK has seen for a generation. The disturbance quickly spread and for five nights, London, Birmingham, and other major cities in England were engulfed by fire and violence.’
The Guardian, 30th July 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Courts failed people ‘caught up’ in UK riots in 2011, says ex-chief prosecutor – The Guardian
‘Pressures in the criminal justice system meant it failed to distinguish between repeat offenders and people “caught up” in the 2011 English riots, a former chief prosecutor has said.’
The Guardian, 1st August 2021
Source: www.theguardian.com
Euro 2020: Uefa opens disciplinary proceedings against England after Italy final – The Independent
‘Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the English Football Association in the wake of chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy at Wembley.’
The Independent, 14th July 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Supreme Court backs protesters and rules blocking roads can be ‘lawful’ way to demonstrate – The Independent
‘The Supreme Court has ruled that protests can be a “lawful excuse” to block roads, as the government pushes for new laws to limit peaceful demonstrations. Britain’s most senior judges said it was right to acquit a group of protesters who blockaded the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair in London in 2017.’
The Independent, 26th June 2021
Source: www.independent.co.uk
