Protesters Who climb Britain's War Memorials could Face Jail

Saturday, February 10, 2024
Protesters Who climb Britain's War Memorials could Face Jail

Protesters who climb Britain’s war memorials could face three months in jail and a £1,000 fine under government plans to create a new criminal offence after incidents during pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Interior minister James Cleverly said that recent protests had featured “a small minority dedicated to causing damage and insulting those who paid the ultimate price for their freedom to protest”.

“Peaceful protest is fundamental in our county, but climbing on our war memorials is an insult to these monuments of remembrance and cannot continue,” he said last Sunday.

The move would be part of a plan to strengthen police public order powers to be set out this week, the government said.

Main Image :Official Cabinet Portrait, James Cleverly, Picture by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street