Terms of reference: inspection of the policing of protests

Published on: 5 October 2020

In October 2020, the Home Secretary commissioned HMICFRS to inspect how effectively the police manage protests.

The inspection will examine the following themes:

  1. How well do the police manage intelligence about protests?
  2. How well do the police plan and prepare their response to protests? This will include the training, authorised professional practice and other guidance, equipment and technology provided to officers.
  3. How well do the police collaborate in relation to protests? This will include mutual aid and other forms of collaboration between forces and other organisations.
  4. How effective are the decision-making processes and how do they affect the police response to protests? This will include how well the police use their powers to manage protests, enforce the law and minimise disruption to communities. It will also include how well the police balance the rights of protesters with the rights of other people, and the impact on communities and minorities.
  5. Does the current legislation give the police the powers they need to deal effectively with protests? This will include an assessment of whether additional legislation would enable more effective policing of protests.