Instructions to officers regarding journalists covering Just Stop Oil protests
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.22.027251
I note you seek access to the following information:
Following the arrests of journalists covering protests by the climate activist group Just Stop Oil, I would like to know what instructions officers have been given regarding photographers, videographers or other journalists seen at these incidents.
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The MPS has prior to the Just Stop Oil recent protest circulated the attached guidance to all 12 BCU (Basic Command Units) Events Units whose staff are deployed operationally on protest related duties, in respect of the media. Public Order Training also includes the media guidance on level 2 and level 3 training courses delivered at the National Public Order Training Centre at Gravesend.
Each centrally planned event has an operation order and advice is included within warnings for operational aid duties, Bronze Commanders will also include the attached information regarding how to deal with members of the press as part of their specific operational sector briefings. The MPS has meetings with the National Union for Journalists every eight weeks and members regularly attend public order training awareness sessions facilitated by the strategic training unit.
Following the lessons learned regarding the arrest of a journalist during JSO protests on the M25 by Hertfordshire police, 5 recommendations were identified and share with all UK police forces. These were reviewed by the MPS. In relation to such, the MPS has reviewed the compliance of all Public Safety Public Order Commanders having completed the College of Policing NCALT training package regarding journalists. As a result, the relevant link has been recirculated to all our Public Order Commanders to ensure they have completed this within the last three year period, with a deadline of the 31 January 2023 for full compliance.
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