Bob Blackman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bob Blackman on 2016-01-28.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of policing on university campuses following the violent protests and criminal damage by demonstrators at an Israel Society event at King’s College London last week.

Mike Penning

The operational policing of protests and demonstrations are principally a matter for Chief Officers of each force in England and Wales.

Peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society. It is a long-standing tradition in this country that people are free to gather together and to demonstrate their views. However, like all members of the public, protesters are subject to the law. Should individuals cross the boundary into criminal acts including public order offences, criminal damage, hate crime offences or violent behaviour, the police have a range of powers to take action.