Metropolitan Police

Metropolitan Police

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The Met has intervened to block a protest in Swiss Cottage this Friday to prevent further serious disruption to the life of the community. Officers have imposed Public Order Act conditions meaning it may not take place in Swiss Cottage or the surrounding area.

The policing of protest must constantly balance the rights of people to protest with the rights of others to go about their lives without being subjected to serious disruption. The protests in Swiss Cottage have been a cause of particular concern. They take place in the heart of a community with a significant Jewish population, on the eve of the Sabbath and at a time when fear and concern linked to a rise in antisemitic hate crime is increased. We have seen instances of hate speech and intimidating behaviour, including confrontation between this protest and counter protest groups. The law requires us to assess the impact of each individual protest rather than taking a blanket approach, but it allows us to consider the cumulative impact of sustained protest when assessing whether it will cause serious disruption. It is our position, after careful consideration, that the only way to prevent that level of disruption in this case is to use our powers to require the protest to take plac