The Metropolitan Police have admitted to making mistakes in their handling of recent large-scale protests related to the Palestine conflict in London. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist acknowledged that the force “didn’t get everything right,” especially during the initial stages of the demonstrations in October 2023.
Twist’s comments came as he spoke to the authors of a report by the Policy Exchange think tank, highlighting the challenges faced by the police in managing the protests. He noted that “months of protests have had a cumulative impact on London and its communities.”
Impact of Palestine Protests on London
From October 2023 to June 2024, Palestine-related protests have placed a significant burden on the Metropolitan Police, both financially and in terms of manpower. According to estimates presented to the London Assembly, these protests cost the force nearly £43 million and required almost 52,000 police officers.
The Policy Exchange, a right-wing think tank, argues that the ongoing protests have ushered in a “new era of increasingly disruptive protests,” which affects public services, tourism, and retail in London. The report emphasizes that this level of disruption is “simply unreasonable” for ordinary citizens who have to constantly adjust their plans due to protest activities.
Policing Challenges and Response
Matt Twist explained that each protest presented a unique challenge for the police, requiring substantial planning and resources. “Our priority has always been to keep people safe while balancing the lawful right to protest with the impact on the wider community,” he said.
However, the assistant commissioner admitted that the police could have acted more swiftly in some situations. He referred to a specific incident involving a man chanting for “jihad” during one of the protests. In that case, the police did not make an immediate arrest, following quick legal advice from lawyers and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Twist stated that the police are now more focused on identifying reasonable grounds for arrest in such situations.
Legislative Gaps and Public Reaction
The Policy Exchange report criticized the current legislative framework governing protests, which requires organizers to give only six days’ notice to the police. The report argued that this short notice period makes it difficult for the public to plan around protests, as final details are often only released the day before or on the day of a protest.
The report also highlighted that in nearly one-third of public order cases, the CPS decided not to prosecute suspects on “public interest” grounds. This finding has sparked debate about whether the legal framework is sufficient to handle the growing scale and frequency of disruptive protests.
Diverse Protests Across the UK
Since October 2023, the UK has witnessed frequent protests across major cities. These include demonstrations organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as environmental protests by groups like Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.
Some protests have also turned violent. For instance, following an attack in Southport on July 29, which resulted in the deaths of three young girls, some protests escalated into rioting and disorder. The increasing frequency and intensity of these protests have underscored the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in maintaining order.
Public Opinion on Protests
The Policy Exchange report included a nationwide poll of over 1,500 adults to gauge public sentiment about protests. The poll revealed that more than two-thirds of respondents would cancel plans to travel with young children, elderly relatives, or those with mobility impairments if a major protest was taking place nearby.
Furthermore, over 60% of respondents said they would avoid visiting tourist attractions, while more than half would abandon plans to go shopping if a protest was scheduled in their city or town. These findings suggest that public tolerance for disruptive protests is wearing thin, particularly when they impact daily routines and access to public spaces.
Recommendations for Reform
The Policy Exchange report made 26 recommendations to address the challenges of policing protests. One key suggestion is for the government to amend the criteria under section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986, allowing authorities to prohibit a protest march if it is likely to cause “serious damage to property or serious disruption to the life of the community.”
The think tank also called for the establishment of a Protest Commission for London, which would be appointed by the Home Secretary. This commission would be responsible for overseeing the regulation of protests and ensuring that they do not unduly disrupt public life.
The report further recommended that the Metropolitan Police impose “more stringent” conditions on protest marches to minimize their impact on public order and safety.
Support from Former Police Chiefs
The report has received backing from former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lord Hogan-Howe, who acknowledged the increasing challenges faced by police commanders and officers in managing protests. He praised the courage and dedication of police officers, stating, “We regularly see police officers demonstrating conspicuous courage, and for that, they deserve our gratitude and respect.”
Lord Hogan-Howe also urged the government to “rebalance the legal regime in favor of ordinary members of the public going about their daily lives.” He argued that the current legal framework is heavily tilted in favor of protestors, often at the expense of ordinary citizens and businesses.
The Need for a Balanced Approach
The debate over how to handle large-scale protests is a complex one, balancing the right to peaceful protest with the need to maintain public order and safety. While the Metropolitan Police have acknowledged their mistakes and are taking steps to improve their response to protests, there is a growing call for clearer guidelines and more robust laws to manage disruptive demonstrations.
At the same time, it is crucial to ensure that any new regulations do not infringe on the fundamental right to protest. Striking the right balance will require careful consideration by policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society groups.
Looking Ahead
As protests continue to shape the political landscape in the UK, the focus will be on how the government, police, and the public respond to these evolving challenges. The Policy Exchange report provides a starting point for a broader discussion on the future of protest policing in London and the rest of the country.
With protests showing no signs of abating, the pressure is on for all stakeholders to find a solution that respects democratic freedoms while ensuring public safety and minimizing disruption to daily life. The coming months will likely see further debate on this issue, as policymakers seek to navigate the complexities of maintaining order in a democracy.