In a move to address offensive chanting during protests, Keir Starmer hinted at the possibility of imposing stricter regulations. Shabana Mahmood recently proposed granting additional powers to the police to prevent repeated demonstrations in the same location. This crackdown follows the arrest of almost 500 individuals at a pro-Palestine march in London over the weekend. Protestors defied the Prime Minister’s criticism that holding demonstrations on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks was against British values.
During his journey to Mumbai, Mr. Starmer expressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of protests, urging the Home Secretary to explore alternative powers and their utilization. He emphasized the importance of addressing the chants heard during protests. When questioned further, he highlighted that operational decisions primarily fall under police jurisdiction. However, he emphasized the necessity of engaging with various police forces to assess their policing methods and potential measures that could be implemented.
The ongoing review aims to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of existing powers and consider potential enhancements. Starmer mentioned ongoing discussions with leaders of the Jewish community to address these issues.