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Met Police Criticized for Alleged Attack on Freedom of Protest Amid Significant Increase in Disturbance-related Detentions | Metropolitan Police

Police in London are facing criticism for allegedly misusing their authority to suppress protests, following research revealing that less than 3% of arrests for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance over the past five years have led to a prosecution. The study also noted a near tenfold increase in the number of such arrests in London since 2019, the year Extinction Rebellion (XR) and Fridays For Future kickstarted a wave of climate activism. Activists argue that the figures indicate a misuse of legal powers to intimidate and detain protesters without formal charges, thereby infringing upon the right to peaceful protest. They claim that the police are arresting lawful citizens for politically sensitive reasons, reflecting a broader governmental tendency to silence dissent and curb the freedom of individuals to advocate for causes they deeply care about. The offence of conspiracy to cause public nuisance, which involves planning actions that could cause significant harm or disruption, has severe penalties of up to 10 years in prison, yet the low prosecution rate suggests a discrepancy in the application of the law. Between 2012 and 2018, out of 67 arrests, only 12% led to charges; in 2019 alone, 205 arrests were made under this pretext, with a mere 2.8% of those arrested facing court. Lawyers and activists contend this practice is legally unjustifiable and undermines the democratic right to protest. The Metropolitan Police defend their actions, asserting that while the threshold for making an arrest is reasonable suspicion of crime, the burden of proof for prosecution is much higher and that gathering sufficient evidence to prove conspiracy to cause public nuisance is exceptionally challenging.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/03/met-police-accused-of-assault-on-right-to-protest-after-tenfold-rise-in-nuisance-law-arrests

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Two French individuals held in Iran face accusations of spying on behalf of Israel

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Today’s Morning News Update – Wednesday, July 3

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