Sunday 27 November 2022 08:02 PM Suella Braverman set to read riot act to police chiefs over Just Stop Oil mayhem trends now
The Home Secretary will read the riot act to police chiefs and order a hard-line stance on protests as eco-zealots resume their disruption today.
Suella Braverman will press police to use all their powers to remove Just Stop Oil protesters after activists climbed gantries over the M25 for several days earlier this month, effectively paralysing sections of the country’s busiest motorway.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is alleged to have said it was ‘ridiculous’ that protesters were able to shut the M25 and asked, ‘Why are the police not arresting people?’, as images showed groups of officers standing around on the road with protesters on gantries overhead.
He has ordered Mrs Braverman and policing minister Chris Philp to summon police chiefs to Downing Street on Thursday as part of his so-called ‘Operation Get Tough’ to discuss dealing with disruptive protests faster, as Just Stop Oil plot two weeks of pre-Christmas disruption.
Suella Braverman will press police to use all their powers to remove Just Stop Oil protesters after activists climbed gantries over the M25 for several days earlier this month, effectively paralysing sections of the country’s busiest motorway
Police have been able to arrest anyone suspected of conspiring to a cause public nuisance with new powers under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
This includes those who have glued themselves to the ground, while courts have the power to impose sentences of up to 10 years in prison.
Mr Sunak has also called for the guidance issued to frontline officers by the College of Policing to be updated to reflect the new additional powers and to set out clearly how the police should use them.
A senior government source told The Sunday Times: ‘The Prime Minister is frustrated by the apparent ease with which protesters can cause mayhem for law-abiding citizens trying to go about their everyday lives.
‘He has been unequivocal that ordinary people shouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of protesters who are taking advantage of their right to protest peacefully.
‘The PM expects the police to exercise the powers they have, crack down on these groups and bring law and order to our streets and roads once again.’
The Home Secretary will read the riot act to police chiefs and order a hard-line stance on protests as eco-zealots resume their disruption today. Just Stop Oil protesters are seen blocking the road in Kensington, London
The Public Order Bill currently going through Parliament aims to
