Sarah Everard: Protest regulations must be 'quickly' realigned with 'freedoms expected' in UK, says police boss
Ministers have been urged to review lockdown laws governing public gatherings following an outcry over the policing of a vigil for murdered Sarah Everard.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Sir David Thompson called for the regulations to be "quickly and irreversibly" realigned with the "freedoms expected" in the UK.
A review is underway into the Met's handling of last weekend's vigil, which saw police clash with protesters who had breached Covid rules by gathering on Clapham Common.
Speaking at a meeting of the PCC's strategic board, Sir David said: "I make no comment on the Met’s response at Clapham Common as it is subject to review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
"I do however think Parliament need to review the regulations governing public assembly under Covid regulations so they are quickly realigned with the freedoms expected in the country on protests.
"This cannot now wait until June. Much emphasis is being placed on police discretion to navigate these matters.
"I think this has been conducted by policing, in the main responsibly, however the law needs realigning quickly and irreversibly as we move out of the acute phase of the pandemic."
Under current Covid laws people are currently "almost entirely prohibited from gathering socially with those who do not live in their support bubble".
Sir David said that when mass gatherings take place the police were faced with the challenge of balancing the risk of Covid infection, public safety, public consent, available resources available and legal obligations.
"The police cannot and should not be expected to make choices based upon the merits of individual events," he added. "All gatherings pose the same infection risk.
"The choices made are increasingly judged by public opinion.
"We are challenged for being either “woke” and over tolerant or cracking down too hard. It is difficult to get this right in everyone’s eyes as people bring their own views and values to the merits of each case."
Sir David also vowed to work on a new plan to address violence against women and girls, that will be shaped by "women in the force and the community".
