Kent Police 'disappointed' by disruption to Dover this weekend
The force say those involved had no need to wear face coverings, after significant delays to Port of Dover
In a new statement Kent Police have said that they will aim to engage with protestors prior to demonstrations going forward - as they hope to avoid disruptions while retaining free speech rights in the area.
It follows protests by groups wearing all black outside the Port of Dover over the weekend, which led to four miles of congestion with wait times of 45 minutes for those using the A20.
Kent Police Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Brookes said: ‘We are of course disappointed with the significant traffic disruption for several hours on Saturday morning in Dover. We will always support people’s right to peaceful protest, and we will always seek to police proportionately, fairly, and reasonably. We do not take account of why people are protesting, or the rights, wrongs, or reasonableness of that as that is not a matter for the police.
‘Saturday’s protest involving approximately 200 people developed rapidly and, based on the information available to us at the time, was treated in-line with national guidance as spontaneous.
'Officers attended, engaged directly with those involved, and worked to restore the free movement of traffic and access to the port. By midday those involved had dispersed, and normal traffic flows resumed, with traffic clearing fairly quickly. Extensive traffic management plans are in place given the frequency of disruption on the roads at the frontier.
‘It is important we distinguish between conduct we find objectionable and disruptive and conduct which constitutes a criminal offence.
'The right to peaceful protest is an important part of our democracy and applies irrespective of the political views being expressed.
Equally, that right is not unlimited, and if offences are committed, lawful police conditions are breached, or disruption crosses the legal threshold we will take action.
'Based on our current assessment, the only associated offence we are investigating is criminal damage to a road.
‘There has been some discussion about the fact that protestors on Saturday wore face coverings. To do so is not, in itself, sufficient to establish a criminal offence.
'Police powers concerning face coverings have specific statutory requirements, and officers must satisfy those requirements before exercising them.
'There is no need to wear a face covering in Kent, if your plan is to peacefully express your views. We will examine the intelligence process, but it is important to note that we do not as a matter of course monitor peaceful protestors, and their political viewpoints are not taken into consideration.'
‘Moving forward, we will seek to identify and engage with those who attended to understand their future plans in a bid to support their rights to peaceful protest and balance them with the needs of the local community, who we remain steadfast in supporting and protecting.’