British police will receive the authority to limit repeated protests in the same location. This decision follows a pro-Palestinian demonstration that took place despite public safety concerns after a synagogue attack.
Police Powers Targeting Community Safety
The government stated that the new powers will enable senior police officers to evaluate the impact of repeated protests on local communities. Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood emphasized the need to balance the right to protest with the community’s right to safety.
Mahmood noted that large protests could intimidate local residents, particularly within the Jewish community, raising concerns about their feelings of safety and security.
Recent Protest Context and Arrests
On October 4, 2025, nearly 500 protesters were arrested in London during a rally supporting Palestine Action, a group banned earlier this year due to vandalism at military sites.
This protest occurred just after a deadly attack at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, where two people were killed. The police shot the suspected attacker, who is believed to have extremist motivations.
Reactions and Future Reviews
The organizing group criticized the government’s decision as an authoritarian move against free speech, urging supporters to resist further restrictions on rights.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews approved the government’s new measures but called for more actions to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. Mahmood will also review the police’s existing powers to ensure they are effective and fairly applied.
