Sir Mark Rowley pointed out that the large number of protests, including those by Just Stop Oil and pro-Palestinian protesters, has diverted police resources from community protection duties, emphasizing the significant manpower needed to monitor these events.
He highlighted the staggering figure of 70,000 police shifts a year dedicated to protests, equating to half a million officer hours, which could otherwise have been utilized for fighting crime and ensuring public safety.
Rowley suggested potential parliamentary changes to protest laws to ease police responsibilities, referring to a different approach taken in Northern Ireland with the establishment of the Parades Commission, which helps to manage protests without implicating police as decision makers.
The chief emphasized the impact of ongoing protests on local policing, stating that officers who would typically investigate crime and respond to emergencies were instead occupied with managing large gatherings, significantly affecting their operational capabilities.
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