New police powers to arrest protesters wearing masks to hide their identity

Masks are worn at pro-Palestinian protests against the current Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley

Masks will be banned at protests under laws following pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Police will have new powers to arrest protesters who wear face coverings to hide your identity as part of a group of protesters. measures announced today by Home Secretary James Cleverley.

They will also ban demonstrators from using their human right to protest as a defense to commit public order offences, make it illegal to bring fireworks, flares or pyrotechnics into a demonstration and ban climbing on war memorials.

Mr Cleverley said: “ Recent protests have shown that a small minority is dedicated to harming and intimidating the law-abiding majority.

“The right to protest is paramount in our county, but using flares at marches to cause damage and destruction is not protest, it is dangerous. That's why we give the police powers to prevent any form of crime on our streets.»

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather during a demonstration in Manchester. Photo: Ioannis Alexopoulos/LNP/London News Pictures

The police have powers under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 under which officers can require protesters to remove their masks.

Section 60 of the Act allows the police to issue an order allowing them to require the removal of masks in a specified area where , in their opinion, there is a threat of violence or unrest. The new offense will give officers the power to arrest people who ignore their orders, with those breaking the rules facing a month in jail and a £1,000 fine.

Anti-mask proposals have been recommended by Prime Minister Lord Walney. The minister's official adviser on political violence amid concerns that protesters were using masks to hide their identities to incite anti-Semitic abuse and violence.

The government will also introduce legislation that would prevent protesters from exercising the right to protest as reasonable or a legal justification for committing public order offenses such as blocking public roads, blocking road infrastructure or causing public disorder.