Ban masks at protests, violence adviser tells government

A protester wearing a mask in the colors of the Palestinian flag outside the Royal Court on Saturday, January 13 Photo: MIKE RUAN/STORY PICTURE AGENCY

Police must have powers to ban the wearing of masks at protests, the prime minister's official adviser on political violence has recommended.

Lord Walney has presented a report to Rishi Sunak outlining new policing measures. protests amid growing concerns over how masked activists chanted anti-Jewish slogans, waved pro-Hamas materials and clashed with officers at recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

There are concerns about the spread of US-style tactics adopted by protesters violent black bloc anarchists who wear dark clothing, ski masks, scarves, sunglasses and motorcycle helmets to conceal their identities.

New powers proposed in Lord Walney's review by former Labor MP John Woodcock would give police powers to make a mask ban an explicit condition before holding a march. The same condition will apply to fireworks and flares.

If organizers refuse to agree, police will be able to ban the march — and ban future demonstrations if they do not comply with the conditions.

Beyond current powers

The move goes beyond current police powers in the 1994 Criminal Code. Justice and Public Order Act, which allows police officers to require the removal of masks from protesters.

Section 60 of the Act allows the police to issue an order allowing them to require the removal of masks in a specified place where they believe they should take off the masks. there is a threat of violence or disorder.

The move is supported by former home secretaries Robert Jenrick and Dame Priti Patel. “Lawbreakers deliberately use face masks to disguise themselves and intimidate the public. The impunity for extremists on our streets must end,” Mr Jenrick told The Sun.

Ms Patel said the public was “outraged at the selfish and disruptive actions of these groups.”

The review is also expected to recommend that organizers of pro-Palestinian marches be held accountable for helping cover the costs of policing. Lord Walney believes there are grounds to lay charges because the protests are consuming «huge amounts of police resources».

The protests have cost the police £20 million.

Following the Hamas attack on 7 October and Israel's military response to Gaza, London and many other UK cities were rocked by pro-Palestinian marches. The total cost of policing the protests is estimated at more than £20 million.

Speaking to MPs in December, Matt Twist, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said that between 7 October and 8 December his forces had been spent on protests on 17 million pounds.

Describing it as «the greatest period of sustained pressure on the Met since the 2012 Olympics», he said the Met had used 28,000 officer changes to deal with the protests. protests along with 1,600 shifts provided by other police forces.

He also said that 5,500 rest days were canceled and that more than 6,000 hours of officer time were used to investigate 800 open hate crimes.