Policies for policing protests

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.034093

I note you seek access to the following information:

What is the procedure for organising a protest in London?
Specifically, when someone comes to declare their protest, which questions do they need to answer?
What are the criteria for acceptance or rejection by the police?

When the police have to disperse a crowd, which laws or procedures do it has to adhere to?
For example, in France, the police disperse crowds after civil officers issue warnings.
How does the London police process this?

Decision

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

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

- What is the procedure for organizing a protest in London?
Specifically, when someone comes to declare their protest, which questions do they need to answer?
What are the criteria for acceptance or rejection by the police?

The police do not accept or reject a protest. Section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 lays out when the police should be notified of a procession. However we would encourage all protest organisers to contact us. This can be done through the MPS website. I have provided a link to this section of the MPS website below.

MPS Website - Events and Processions

I have also provided a link to the Public Order Act below.

HM Government Website - Public Order Act 1986

- When the police have to disperse a crowd, which laws or procedures do it has to adhere to?
For example, in France, the police disperse crowds after civil officers issue warnings.
How does the London police process this?

The powers used will depend on the circumstances at the time. There is no one specific legal power for this, a wide range of powers could be relevant.