Protest organisers reject police ‘pay-to-protest’ conditions

The organisers of protest marches planned in London over the spring and summer have issued a joint statement rejecting attempts by the Metropolitan Police to impose pay-to-protest conditions on their demonstrations. Find out more here.

Our analysis of the Met's policy and how is resist it is published here.
 

'Safeguards' fail to stop use of new dispersal powers against protesters

We report on the use of new 'anti-social behaviour' dispersal powers against housing campaigners occupying empty property in Southwark - and how, only months after their introduction, the police have already applied these powers in ways that are beyond limits envisioned by Parliament.

Read the story here.
 

Hundreds mark 'Domestic Extremism' Awareness Day 2015

On Thursday 5 February, hundreds of activists joined Netpol's online mockery of the term 'domestic extremist' on the second annual 'Domestic Extremist Awareness Day'.

You can find some of the highlights of the day in our report here.
 

Secret political police units explained

Activist Merrick Badger has pulled together an excellent summary of the history and development of secret police units who spy on political activists, from the Special Demonstration Squad formed in 1968 to today's National Domestic Extremism and Disorder Intelligence Unit.

Read more here.
 

Community Monitors out on the streets of Manchester

Northern Police Monitoring Project (NPMP) report on the Manchester Community Monitoring team's first trip out together, supported by Netpol.

Find out more here.
 

We need your support

Netpol's activities monitoring public order, protest and community policing - and challenging excessive and discriminatory policing that threatens civil rights - have grown considerably over the last 12 months. However, we continue to operate on a tiny budget. Can you help by making a small monthly donation to support our work?

You can find out how at netpol.org/about/donations - we really appreciate any help you can offer. 
 

Other News

• CALL-OUT: appeal for witnesses at anti-fascist protest in March 2014: Bindmans solicitors have asked us to circulate an appeal for witnesses of an arrest at a counter demonstration against the English Volunteer Force (EVF) last year. Find out more here.
   
• Habib 'Paps' Ullah inquest: Habib died in July 2008 during a stop and search by police officers in High Wycombe and ever since, his family have been struggling to find out why. An inquest began in early February - follow the latest here.
   
• Millions of people on police photo database: police forces in England and Wales have uploaded up to 18 million "mugshots" to a facial recognition database - despite a court ruling it could be unlawful. Read more here.
   
• Warwick University student protesters lodge complaints over dangerous use of CS spray: ten students have complained to the Independent Police Complaints Commission over the aggressive police response to a tuition fees protest on 3 December. Find out more here.
   
• Operation Shield - 'guilt by association is archaic': campaigners from the Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association Campaign (JENGbA) set out the case against London Mayor Boris Johnson's new 'Operation Shield' proposals. Read their letter here.
   
• Report says state violated human rights in responding to UK anti-fracking protests: new research finds people who took part in the protests were unlawfully arrested and prevented from taking part in peaceful demonstrations or expressing their opposition to fracking. More details here.
   
• "Kettling of the Voices" - at the end of January, the makers of a new documentary on how the strategy of kettling has been used by the Metropolitan Police held a preview screening at Unite's headquarters in London. View the trailer here.