Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a review of protest policing powers, specifically targeting inflammatory chants such as “globalise the intifada” at pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Speaking to reporters en route to Mumbai, Starmer said he has asked the Home Secretary to examine further measures beyond those already proposed by Shabana Mahmood, which focus on the “cumulative impact” of repeat protests.
The proposed changes have drawn criticism from civil liberties groups, who warn of threats to the right to protest. However, following a terror attack on a Manchester synagogue, Starmer faces pressure to act, particularly over chants that could invoke violence. He stated, “I think we need to go further than that in relation to some of the chants that are going on at some of these protests.”
Mahmood had previously announced that new laws would allow police to consider the cumulative impact of protests when assessing their lawfulness, potentially re-routing or banning them if deemed too disruptive. Starmer now wants to review broader public order powers, including how they are used and whether they need to be changed or enhanced.
The review will involve discussions with Jewish community leaders and will assess all current government powers over public order. Starmer emphasised that the government is “talking at length to leaders of the Jewish community” about the issue. He also called on organisers not to proceed with protests planned for the evening of the synagogue attack or those coinciding with the 7 October anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel.
Home Office sources indicate that police may gain new powers to prevent protests if they occur repeatedly at the same site and cause disorder. Organisers could be required to change locations, limit numbers, or set time limits. These changes would be made by amending sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, with breaches carrying penalties of up to six months in jail or an unlimited fine.
