New powers to deal with marches

Local authorities to give greater consideration to effects on public safety

News, 30 March 2007

Starting this weekend, local authorities will have a range of new powers to deal with marches and parades in their area.

The new powers are among measures in the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 which come into force on 1 April.

The new law will require parade organisers to give local authorities a minimum 28 days’ notice, instead of seven days.

Before a parade takes place, an authority will need to consider the effects it will have on public safety, damage to property and how disruptive it will be. It will also consider how much of a burden previous processions placed on the police and how far those involved kept to any code of conduct.

Hijacked

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said: "The right to free assembly and the right to march are major tenets of a democratic country. But with these rights come responsibilities – both on the marchers themselves and on their supporters.

"Too often in the past legitimate expressions of tradition and history have been hijacked by thugs and bullies who have used them to abuse innocent bystanders and terrorise people in our communities."

Ms Jamieson said she was pleased to have the support of the main march organisers for the bill and that its progress would be reviewed in a year’s time.

In support of the changes, the Scottish Executive issued guidance to all Scottish local authorities last year on the implications of the new legislation.