Part 3

Parliament Square Garden and surrounding area

Controls on activities in Parliament Square Garden and adjoining pavements

Prohibited activities in controlled area of Parliament Square
143
1
A constable or authorised officer who has reasonable grounds for believing that a person is doing, or is about to do, a prohibited activity may direct the person—
a
to cease doing that activity, or
b
(as the case may be) not to start doing that activity.
2
For the purposes of this Part, a “prohibited activity” is any of the following—
a
operating any amplified noise equipment in the controlled area of Parliament Square;
b
erecting or keeping erected in the controlled area of Parliament Square—
i
any tent, or
ii
any other structure that is designed, or adapted, (solely or mainly) for the purpose of facilitating sleeping or staying in a place for any period;
c
using any tent or other such structure in the controlled area of Parliament Square for the purpose of sleeping or staying in that area;
d
placing or keeping in place in the controlled area of Parliament Square any sleeping equipment with a view to its use (whether or not by the person placing it or keeping it in place) for the purpose of sleeping overnight in that area;
e
using any sleeping equipment in the controlled area of Parliament Square for the purpose of sleeping overnight in that area.
3
But an activity is not to be treated as a “prohibited activity” within subsection (2) if it is done—
a
for police, fire and rescue authority or ambulance purposes,
b
by or on behalf of a relevant authority, or
c
by a person so far as authorised under section 147 to do it (authorisation for operation of amplified noise equipment).
4
In subsection (2)(a) “amplified noise equipment” means any device that is designed or adapted for amplifying sound, including (but not limited to)—
a
loudspeakers, and
b
loudhailers.
5
In subsection (3)(b) “relevant authority” means any of the following—
a
a Minister of the Crown or a government department,
b
the Greater London Authority, or
c
Westminster City Council.
6
It is immaterial for the purposes of a prohibited activity—
a
in the case of an activity within subsection (2)(b) or (c) of keeping a tent or similar structure erected or using a tent or similar structure, whether the tent or structure was first erected before or after the coming into force of this section;
b
in the case of an activity within subsection (2)(d) or (e) of keeping in place any sleeping equipment or using any such equipment, whether the sleeping equipment was first placed before or after the coming into force of this section.
7
In this section “sleeping equipment” means any sleeping bag, mattress or other similar item designed, or adapted, (solely or mainly) for the purpose of facilitating sleeping in a place.
8
A person who fails without reasonable excuse to comply with a direction under subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.