Call for urgent government funding to support policing of major protests in London
Labour’s spokesperson for Policing and Crime on the London Assembly has called on the Government to provide additional funding so that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) can properly police large-scale protests and public events without undermining neighbourhood policing across the capital.
Marina Ahmad’s call follows the violence seen at the recent ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march in which several police officers were injured.
She said the policing operation around the protest required the cancellation of rest days, the redeployment of neighbourhood officers away from their communities and support from nearby police forces.
Another major policing operation had to be put in place for the visit of President Donald Trump.
The MPS receives a National and International Capital City (NICC) Grant from the Government to help cover the extra costs of policing large-scale protests, State visits and major events.
This fund was increased by £65 million this year, but the MPS requested an additional £240 million last year to cover the rising costs of protests and public events.
Ms Ahmad said: “The right to peaceful protest in this country has been established over centuries. Attacking police officers is disgraceful and demeans that right. Making people feel unsafe because of the colour of their skin, their faith or their background diminishes us all.
“I want to thank all the officers, including those from outside the capital, who work tirelessly each weekend.
“These large-scale operations have a huge financial impact, but also a massive effect on officer welfare and on neighbourhood policing.”
She added: “I urge the Government to look again at the NICC Grant to recognise the exceptional pressures London has faced this year. It’s vital that the police are supported so they can recognise the unique pressures London continues to face.”