Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

2005 CHAPTER 15

The Act

Commentary on Sections

Part 4: Public order and conduct in public places etc.

Section 134: Authorisation of demonstrations in designated area

331. Subsections (1) and (2) set out that if a written notice complying with section 133 is received the Commissioner must give authorisation for the demonstration.

332. Subsection (3) allows the Commissioner to impose conditions on those taking part in or organising a demonstration, if, in his reasonable opinion they are necessary for the purpose of preventing any of the following:

(a)

hindrance to any person wishing to enter or leave the Palace of Westminster,

(b)

hindrance to the proper operation of Parliament,

(c)

serious public disorder,

(d)

serious damage to property,

(e)

disruption to the life of the community,

(f)

a security risk in any part of the designated area,

(g)

risk to the safety of members of the public (including any taking part in the demonstration).

333. Subsection (4) sets out details of the conditions the Commissioner may impose. Subsection (5) set out what the authorisation must specify. Subsection (6) requires the Commissioner to give notice in writing of the authorisation and of certain other specified matters.

334. Subsection (7) makes it an offence not to comply with a condition or to diverge from the particulars specified in the authorisation. Subsection (8) creates a defence if a person can prove that failure arose from causes beyond his control or from something done with the agreement or by the direction of a police officer.