PCC Donna Jones wants police to have more powers to disrupt protesters

Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones backs the government’s Public Order Bill which will give police officers more powers to deal with protesters. 

She wants police to have increased stop and search powers and use banning orders to stop crimes from being committed and mass public disruption across the UK. 

The comments come after the Bill was debated in the House of Lords this week. 

Donna Jones said: “The public have had enough. The mass distribution to law abiding citizens going about their business has to stop. That’s why this new legislation is vital to give the police the legal flexibility they need to ensure public disruptions don’t continue.

“Whilst I back the Bill, I also want to make clear I strongly support problems right to protest, in freedom of speech, when lawful.” 

“Freedom of speech is an absolute requirement of all civilised societies. But it must be done in a lawful, civilised way.”