(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These regulations amend the Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/1639) (“the 1997 Regulations”) to introduce a prohibition against certain acts in parks in the vicinity of Parliament Square. No person may fail to comply with a police direction to cease, or not to start, a prohibited activity in these parks. The prohibited activities are camping or using amplified noise equipment without permission.
Anyone who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with such a direction will be in breach of the 1997 Regulations. Breach of the 1997 Regulations is an offence under the Parks Regulation (Amendment) Act 1926.
The prohibited activities introduced by these regulations apply in Canning Green, Victoria Tower Gardens, the garden around the Jewel Tower, and the lawn around the statute of George V.
These regulations also amend the 1997 Regulations to introduce powers of seizure, retention, disposal and forfeiture under the Royal Parks (Trading) Act 2000 over objects used in offences that relate to the prohibited activities.
An Impact Assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as there is no impact on business, charities, voluntary bodies or the public sector. The Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk.