Slow-walking eco activists will be stopped from bringing UK cities to halt under new proposed laws
SLOW-walking eco activists will be brought to heel under laws being put forward today.
Police will be handed new powers to stop the tactic bringing London and other major cities to a halt.
Groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil have turned to slow walking as it is less obviously a criminal offence.
But the legislation will give police clarity on when they can step in because it can now be defined as “serious disruption to the life of the community”.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “Selfish, disruptive protesters are wreaking havoc in people’s everyday lives across the country and this must be brought to a stop.
“This is why we are bringing forward this new law to clearly define serious disruption as requested by police chiefs.
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"It permits the police to clear the roads of slow marching protesters who are hell-bent on causing chaos across the UK.”
The powers are spelt out in a statutory instrument laid before Parliament and will be debated in both the Houses before they can come into force.
It complements the Public Order Bill, which was approved by the House of Lords on Wednesday.
The Bill is intended to stop people gluing themselves to roads or targeting national infrastructure such as railways and airports.
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Offenders will face up to 12 months behind bars.
The statutory instrument will provide the clear guidance police have asked for on when they can step in to break up protests.
Police chiefs leader BJ Harrington said: “We are committed to responding effectively to activists who deliberately disrupt people’s lives through dangerous, reckless and criminal acts.”