Admin l Friday, November 03, 2017
LONDON – The London Metropolitan Police has imposed strict conditions on the proposed One Million Mask March under the under the Public Order Act to prevent serious disorder and disruption to Londoners.The ‘Million Mask March’ is scheduled for Sunday, 5 November
“ Over recent years, this event has caused significant disruption to Londoners with increasing amounts of anti-social behaviour, violence, damage to public property and businesses. Monuments have been criminally damaged, with attempts to take over buildings in addition to harassment of the public, motorists and attacks on police officers”, the Police said.
It added that a significant policing operation will be in place for the duration of the event which is designed to prevent trouble from flaring up, and to facilitate anyone who wishes to take part in peaceful protest.
The police added that dedicated teams of highly flexible officers will be on standby at key locations in the Capital. Police Liaison Officers will be present to assist with engagement for peaceful protest.
Chief Superintendent Elaine Van-Orden, said: “We police hundreds of public events and demonstrations in Central London every year and we always facilitate peaceful protest. However, due to the previous history of this event, we have strong reasons to believe that peaceful protest is the last thing on the minds of some of those who will attend.
“Criminality at the event has increased year-on-year. Arrests have increased from four in 2012 to 53 in 2016. Last year, a number of fireworks and flares were lit and thrown into the crowds in Trafalgar Square and aimed towards police officers.
“Those who choose to behave like this are not protestors, they are committing criminal acts and we will endeavour to deal with them. We therefore have such serious concerns about this event on Sunday, 5 November, that we have made the decision to impose conditions under the Public Order Act.
“Our message, as it was last year, is simple: if you wish to protest peacefully, that is your right and we want to work with you. If you commit criminal acts or breach the conditions of the event, you are liable to be arrested.”
Details of the conditions imposed under Section 12 Public Order Act 1986:
The march will commence from Trafalgar Square and must stay within the area bounded by Trafalgar Square, Northumberland Avenue, Victoria Embankment, Bridge Street, Parliament Square, Parliament Street, Whitehall, St. Margaret’s Street, Abingdon Street and Millbank (up to the junction with Great Peter Street).
The march must not commence before 18:00hrs, the march must not continue after 21:00hrs ; the participants must follow the directions of a constable even if the route is varied; there will be no motor-vehicles as part of the procession and any person in breach of these conditions is liable to be arrested.
