Protesters who climb on war memorials could face prison under new plans

Protesters who climb over war memorials could face a three-month prison sentence and a £1,000 fine under Government plans to change the law.

Last year there was an outcry when pro-Palestinian demonstrators climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial and on another occasion set up a stage next to the Cenotaph during marches in London demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

The proposed new measures currently being considered by Parliament will be added to the Criminal Justice Bill.

• Climbing on Royal Artillery Memorial an affront to Armed Forces, says Downing Street
• Mercer: I recognise hurt caused by stage set up at Cenotaph during pro-Palestinian rally
• How the Cenotaph became a focus for remembrance

They will also give police in England and Wales powers to arrest protesters who cover their faces in an attempt to avoid prosecution - and it will be illegal to carry flares and other pyrotechnics at protests.

The Home Office said the plans were an attempt to crack down on dangerous disorder, saying the right to protest is no longer an excuse for certain public order offences.

But campaigners have branded the measures a threat to everybody’s right to protest.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Recent protests have seen a small minority dedicated to causing damage and intimidating the law-abiding majority.

"The right to protest is paramount in our county, but taking flares to marches to cause damage and disruption is not protest, it is dangerous.

"That is why we are giving police the powers to prevent any of this criminality on our streets."