Thursday, 7 November 2024 — NetPol
Campaigners have reported a concerning new police tactic to discourage protests against weapons manufacturers and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.
The appearance of a “National Security Act 2023” warning sign outside of the Bristol offices of Israeli-owned arms manufacturer Elbit is a reminder that as well as expanding public order laws, the government has also introduced sweeping changes to espionage laws that cover places where protests regularly take place.
The National Security Act replaced the Official Secrets Act in July 2023. It designates “any UK land or building used for defence purposes in support of the invention, development, production, operation, storage or disposal of weapons or other equipment or capabilities of UK forces and research relating to it” as a “prohibited place”.
In other words, the facilities of practically every single arms company that supplies Britain’s defence establishment – including all those that Palestine solidarity protests have targeted – are now a “prohibited place”.
Activists at multiple sites across the UK have reported to Netpol that police have threatened to move them on using National Security Act powers. While the police are on shaky legal ground here – in order to move campaigners on, police must reasonably believe that their conduct is “prejudicial to the safety or interests of the United Kingdom” – it seems the police are hoping that the threat alone is enough to intimidate protesters away from arms company sites.
Netpol’s explainer on the National Security Act lays out the law, as well as offering practical advice on what to do if you or your group are threatened with use of these powers. If this has happened to you, please contact Netpol to report the incident.
Read our explainer on the National Security Act now. You can also find and share the information on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.
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