Insulate Britain: Demonstrations
(asked on 8th November 2021) - View Source
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many (1) Metropolitan Police officers were injured, and (2) protesters were arrested, during the Insulate Britain protest in Westminster on 3 November.
Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
There were no reports of injuries to the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officers who responded to the protest by Insulate Britain on Thursday 4 November, which took place on Parliament Square in Westminster. MPS confirmed that there were 59 arrests made in connection to the protest.
The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society. However, this does not extend to unlawful behaviour. Should a protest contravene the law, the police have comprehensive powers to deal with activities that spread hate or deliberately raise tensions through violence or public disorder. The use of these powers and the management of demonstrations are an operational matter for the police.
Through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the Government is introducing new measures which will allow the police to take a more proactive approach in managing highly disruptive protests.