wenty-one individuals arrested on the day of the King’s Coronation to forestall potential disruption from protests will face no additional motion.
The Metropolitan Police mentioned the Crown Prosecution Service had reviewed the proof and concluded there was “no sensible prospect of conviction”.
The drive mentioned teams had been arrested to be able to forestall a breach of the peace and on suspicion of conspiracy to trigger a public nuisance in The Mall and in Whitehall on Might 6.
Officers from the Met Police referred the circumstances to the CPS in August 2023.
Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist mentioned officers had “intelligence” within the hours earlier than the Coronation to recommend that activists deliberate to disrupt the procession.
Mr Twist mentioned: “We had actual issues that such efforts wouldn’t solely disrupt a once-in-a-lifetime occasion of huge nationwide significance, however that they may additionally compromise the safety and security of contributors and the broader public.
“Officers had been briefed on these issues and we wanted to be proactive in managing this threat and forestall any exercise that might put public security or the safety of the occasion in danger.”
The assistant commissioner mentioned the Met Police had an in depth policing plan in place to make sure individuals may protest peacefully.
Protests had been held alongside the procession route, together with in Trafalgar Sq..
Mr Twist added: “Contemplating the choice by the CPS, you will need to be aware that the edge for acquiring a cost is increased than making an arrest, an officer solely wants cheap grounds to suspect an offence goes to be dedicated.
“Daily officers must make troublesome selections with restricted time, primarily based on the usually partial data, and I help them of their determination making on this case.
“For instance, three of those that had been arrested on the day which didn’t result in cost, had been discovered close to the Coronation route within the early hours of the day of the occasion in possession of glue, a banner from a recognized activist group, Allen keys and different paraphernalia that might have been used to commit legal injury or different disruption.
“I’m assured the general public would recognise why officers selected to make arrests in such circumstances, although it has finally been decided {that a} conviction at court docket could be unlikely.”
There must be motion taken in opposition to the police. They cannot be allowed to easily shrug it off and transfer on
The pinnacle of anti-monarchy marketing campaign group Republic beforehand introduced he was taking authorized motion in opposition to the Met Police after he was arrested forward of a pre-agreed protest on the day of the King’s Coronation.
Graham Smith and 5 different members of the group had been held on suspicion of going outfitted to lock on – a tactic some protesters use to make themselves tougher to maneuver on – as a result of they’d baggage straps to safe their placards.
On Might 8 they had been instructed no additional motion could be taken.
Republic chief govt Mr Smith instructed the PA information company he was “happy the others should not being charged”.
He mentioned: “The Met must be taught a lesson about not over-policing protests and ensure protesters are allowed to go forward peacefully.
“There must be motion taken in opposition to the police. They will’t be allowed to easily shrug it off and transfer on.”