The UK government has implemented new laws aimed at addressing disruptive protests, with Serious Disruption Prevention Orders coming into effect today (5 April 2024).
The new orders grant police the authority to intervene before individuals cause significant disruption, particularly those who have a history of protest-related offences or have disregarded court-imposed restrictions.
Serious Disruption Prevention Orders allow for a range of constraints on individuals, including prohibiting them from certain areas, participating in disruptive activities, associating with protest groups, or using the internet to encourage protest-related offences.
These orders can be applied to individuals who have committed protest-related offenses at least twice or breached injunction conditions. Court decisions will determine the specific restrictions within each order, which can last up to two years and can be renewed if necessary.
The new measures were introduced as part of the Public Order Act 2023 to combat disruptive protests, aiming to ensure public safety and uphold the democratic right to protest. Breaching such orders will be considered a criminal offense, punishable by up to six months in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
Home Secretary James Cleverly emphasised the government’s commitment to protecting public safety while respecting the right to protest. These new powers supplement previous actions, including restrictions on face masks at certain protests, criminalising climbing on designated war memorials, and banning possession of flares and pyrotechnics at protests. The Criminal Justice Bill will also prevent individuals from using the right to protest as a defense for criminal acts.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said:
The public has a democratic right to protest and this government will always uphold that.
However, recent months have shown certain individuals are just dedicated to wreaking havoc and causing severe disruption to the everyday lives of the public.
This is why we have introduced these new powers to ensure that anyone who ignores warnings from our law enforcement cannot continue to cause turmoil unpunished.
The government asserts that these measures strike a balance between protecting public safety and safeguarding the right to protest. Recent months have seen over 1,000 protests and vigils, resulting in over 600 arrests nationally and significant costs to police forces. Under the legislation, serious disruption is defined as protest activity that substantially impedes daily activities, construction or maintenance works, delivery of time-sensitive products, or access to essential goods and services beyond minor inconvenience.
Sources: Home Office and The Rt Hon James Cleverly MP
