Policing protests in London

Policing protests and large-scale events in the capital is putting increased strain on the Metropolitan Police Service, with the Met describing the increased protests since October 2023 as the “greatest period of sustained pressure since the Olympics in 2012”.¹

This coincides with budgetary pressures in the Met, and reduced staffing and officer numbers.² Officers from local neighbourhood teams are often redeployed to deal with protest and public order activity at short notice, impacting on local services.

Tomorrow, the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee will hold the first meeting of its investigation into public order policing in London.

The meeting will explore the challenges the Met is facing with policing large events and protests, as well as the recent Notting Hill Carnival, where police made 334 arrests.³

The Committee will also look into the impact of new legislation and whether the right balance is being struck between preventing excessive disruption and the right to protest.

Guests include:

Panel 1: 10:00am – 11:30am

• Matt Parr, former Inspector, HMICFRS 
• Lord Walney, Government Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption
• Kirsty Brimelow KC, Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers 

Panel 2: 11:35am – 1:00pm

• Jodie Beck, Policy and Campaigns Officer, Liberty
• Professor Geoff Pearson, Professor of Law at the University of Manchester and Academic Director of the N8 Policing Research Partnership
• Tom Southerden, Programme Director, Law & Human Rights, Amnesty International
• David Spencer, Head of Crime and Justice, Policy Exchange

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 9 October 2024 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

Follow us @LondonAssembly.