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New police powers to tackle slow-walking protests New police powers to tackle slow-walking protests
(about 14 hours later)
The legislation will have to be approved by the Commons and Lords before it comes into effectThe legislation will have to be approved by the Commons and Lords before it comes into effect
Police in England and Wales are to be given new powers to tackle "disruptive" slow walking used by protesters to block roads.Police in England and Wales are to be given new powers to tackle "disruptive" slow walking used by protesters to block roads.
The new legislation would give officers more leeway to intervene when protesters attempt to block roads by slow marching. New legislation would give officers more leeway to intervene when protesters attempt to block roads with slow marching.
It will need to be approved by Parliament before it comes into force.It will need to be approved by Parliament before it comes into force.
Just Stop Oil, Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion are among the groups to have used the tactic.Just Stop Oil, Insulate Britain and Extinction Rebellion are among the groups to have used the tactic.
The government says the new law is required because the police lack clarity on when their existing powers can be used.The government says the new law is required because the police lack clarity on when their existing powers can be used.
Is it legal for Just Stop Oil to block roads?Is it legal for Just Stop Oil to block roads?
Just Stop Oil protest slows central London trafficJust Stop Oil protest slows central London traffic
Current legislation gives police the power to set conditions on protests that are likely to cause "serious disruption to the life of the community". Current legislation gives police the power to put conditions on protests that are likely to cause "serious disruption to the life of the community".
But the government says what this means in practice is not legally clear, leaving forces reluctant to act during certain demonstrations.But the government says what this means in practice is not legally clear, leaving forces reluctant to act during certain demonstrations.
It has introduced a new law that specifies officers should be able to take into account the cumulative impact of disruption, and whether people are prevented from carrying out day-to-day activities.It has introduced a new law that specifies officers should be able to take into account the cumulative impact of disruption, and whether people are prevented from carrying out day-to-day activities.
They will also be able to take into account the wider geographical impact of protests, rather than just the impact on people who live and work in the area.They will also be able to take into account the wider geographical impact of protests, rather than just the impact on people who live and work in the area.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said it would "clearly define" when police can step in to stop "selfish" protestors "wreaking havoc in people's everyday lives". Home Secretary Suella Braverman said this would "clearly define" when police can step in to stop "selfish" protesters "wreaking havoc in people's everyday lives".
The legislation will have to be approved by the Commons and Lords before it comes into effect, a process that normally takes several weeks. The legislation will have to be approved by the Commons and Lords before it takes effect, a process that normally takes several weeks.
It follows government efforts to beef up broader police powers to tackle protests in the Public Order Bill, which recently passed through Parliament and will become law shortly.
'Deeply troubling''Deeply troubling'
The new law follows attempts by the government to beef up its broader powers to tackle protests in the Public Order Bill, which recently passed through Parliament and will become law shortly. Ministers tried to ban slow walking protests by adding measures to the bill in the Lords, but were narrowly defeated by peers.
The legislation will create a new criminal offence for those who seek to lock themselves to objects or buildings. Because of the way the measures were introduced, they could not be added back to the bill at a later stage.
The government says the new law will allow the police to more effectively tackle "disruptive and dangerous" tactics used by protestors, but has been heavily criticised by civil rights groups. The bill creates a new criminal offence for people who try to lock themselves to objects or buildings.
On Wednesday, Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the legislation was "deeply troubling". The government says it will allow the police to more effectively tackle "disruptive and dangerous" tactics used by protesters, but it has been heavily criticised by civil rights groups.
He said it imposed restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that are "neither necessary nor proportionate". On Wednesday, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the legislation as "deeply troubling".
It imposed restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that were "neither necessary nor proportionate", he said.
BJ Harrington, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for public order and public safety, said: "Policing is not anti-protest, but there is a difference between protest and criminal activism, and we are committed to responding quickly and effectively to activists who deliberately disrupt people's lives through dangerous, reckless and criminal acts.
"It is the responsibility of Parliament to make the law and our job to enforce it."
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