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Policing the world cannabis day celebrations at Hyde Park on 20 April 2022

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.024325

I note you seek access to the following information:

1. Does the Met have an operational plan in place for how children will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?

2. What is the operational plan for how children will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022 (if there is one)?

3. Does the Met have operational plan in place for how adults will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?

4. What is the operational plan for how adults will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022 (if there is one)?

5. Has the Met decided if it will be in the public interest to pursue possession of cannabis offences at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?

6. Has the Met taken legal advice - from the CPS and/or any other provider - regarding their approach to policing the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?

7. Would a summary or gist of any legal advice given in respect of the policing of World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022, please be provided.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Q1 - Does the Met have an operational plan in place for how children will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?
Q2 - What is the operational plan for how children will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022 (if there is one)?

Yes, the MPS also have a Bronze Safeguarding specifically for this event with a small team specifically for this purpose. We were aware that this event fell within the Easter school holiday for many children this year. Uniformed police were posted to Hyde Park in order to engage with those attending the location. They were briefed on the need to adopt a partnership approach to minimise & manage risk to children and other persons who may be vulnerable. Contingency arrangements were made if children were found committing criminal offences and arrested. The police safeguarding team were available throughout the event in order to offer bespoke advice to officers posted to the park and its immediate environs.

Q3 - Does the Met have an operational plan in place for how adults will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?
Q4 - What is the operational plan for how adults will be policed at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022 (if there is one)?

Yes, the police plan is one of engagement, explanation and education around drugs and drugs misuse; with appropriate interventions as, and when, required.

Please note the MPS planned to, and used, the Public Order APP and the six core principles of public order policing to inform it’s policing of Cannabis Day (College of Policing - Public Order APP).

Q5 - Has the Met decided if it will be in the public interest to pursue possession of cannabis offences at the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?

Prior to the event the MPS consulted widely with community groups for their stance on how this event should be policed.

The following press lines were issued prior to the event:

“It’s important that people have the right to peacefully protest, it is also important that there are consequences for those who break the law.

Officers will focus efforts on people committing serious offences.

However drug misuse is breaking the law and individuals using drugs, even if peacefully protesting, cannot expect to be exempt from policing.”

Q6 - Has the Met taken legal advice - from the CPS and/or any other provider - regarding their approach to policing the World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022?

The CPS was not specifically consulted in this instance.

Q7 - Would a summary or gist of any legal advice given in respect of the policing of World Cannabis Day celebrations in Hyde Park tomorrow, 20 April 2022, please be provided.

As explained, no legal advice was sought and therefore this information is not held.