Police offer reassurance ahead of potential protest in Newcastle
A number of legal powers are in place to ensure the safety of the public
Northumbria Police are offering reassurance to the public ahead of potential planned protest activity in the region – including in Newcastle.
Officers have implemented a number of legal powers to ensure the safety of the public and facilitate a busy Saturday in the city, with many events planned, including the Sela weekender.
Today (Saturday), the following orders will be in place:
• Section 60 and Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 – This gives Northumbria Police officers enhanced stop and search capabilities of persons and vehicles for weapons and dangerous instruments. The authority extends to requiring the removal of items wholly or mainly used to conceal a person’s identity, such as face coverings. This will be in place across Newcastle.
• Section 14 Public Order Act (POA) 1986 – This means that officers can impose directions on anyone organising or taking part an assembly where there is a reasonable belief that it may result in serious public disorder, serious damage to property, or serious disruption to the life of the community.
• Section 34 Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 – This is a dispersal order and gives officers the power to disperse anyone in the area covered by the map (attached) if police believe their behaviour contributed or is likely to contribute to members in the public in the locality being harassed, alarmed, or distressed or the occurrence of crime and disorder.
Ahead of the weekend, Chief Superintendent Steve Wykes, of Northumbria Police, has shared these words of reassurance:
“We are aware of potential protest activity to take place in our region today.
“The right to lawful protest is a key part of any democracy, however, we will not accept people using them as a means to commit crime.
“A robust policing presence has been stood up. Officer rest days have been cancelled and resources redeployed to ensure officers are out and visible in our communities to keep you safe.
“We have incredibly close-knit communities. This is just one of the reasons which makes our region such a special place to live, work and visit.
“We know there will be members of the community who are feeling frightened and marginalised at this time. We are here for you, and we are committed to keeping you safe. These criminals do not speak for our communities.
“As you will have seen, a number of arrests have been made and people have been swiftly convicted and now sentenced following the disorder in Sunderland last week.
“This should act as a warning to anyone with the intention of causing any further disorder – you will face the full force of the law. You are not welcome in our region.”
Anyone who has any information should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media or use the live chat function on the Force’s website.
Alternatively, for those unable to contact police online, call 101.
Members of the public can also provide information and submit materials in connection with the investigation into the disorder in Sunderland on Friday, August 2, by visiting Northumbria Police’s dedicated Major Incident Public Portal online at Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)