Night Stars Arrested: London volunteers arrested in coronation protests
Reportedly, London night safety volunteers arrested in coronation protests crackdown worked in partnership with Met police. Read the article for further information and follow us around for all the insights. Continue reading for more details. Suzie Melvin told a committee of MPs that despite having the force’s logo on her hi-vis vest, she was still taken into custody and detained for hours. A volunteer arrested before the coronation as part of a crackdown on protesters has told MPs her organization works in partnership with the Metropolitan Police. Reportedly, Suzie Melvin and two of her colleagues were detained on the Friday ahead of the event while patrolling streets in central London as part of Westminster City Council’s Night Stars program, which offers help to vulnerable people on evenings out to keep them safe.
Night Stars Arrested
But despite explaining their work to officers and wearing hi-vis vests with the force’s logo emblazoned on them, the three women were taken into custody following reports people were handing out rape alarms to result in disruption. Around the crowning of the King but she was concerned the experience may deter others from joining the volunteer group. The Commons committee is holding an inquiry into police activities at the coronation after the force faced a backlash over the arrests it made around the event.
Reportedly, officers took a total of 64 people into custody including 13 people to prevent a breach of the peace and a man with an unused megaphone, which police said could scare the horses. The Met said officers policed the coronation “proportionately” and within the “context” of the large-scale event, though they later expressed regret for accusing six protesters who were later released without charge. A number of critics blamed a new law, the Public Order Act, brought in by the government just days before the coronation.
New powers under the law include letting officers stop and search anyone they suspect of planning to cause disruption and making “locking on” an offense. A senior police source told the newspaper there had been firm instruction from the Home Office to crackdown on protests, amid speculation about political pressure on officers. However, speaking at the same committee, Assistant Commissioner of the Met, Matt Twist said the police rigorously guards operational independence. The committee itself also faced interruption by protesters leading to groans from one MP.
Ms. Melvin was asked to describe her experience to the committee by its chair, Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson. She explained how the team of three volunteers started their shift at 7 pm, patrolling areas like Soho, Leicester Square, and the Embankment.
