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Government officials are set to grant law enforcement additional authorities to target recurring demonstrations, specifically aimed on taking action against Gaza-related demonstrations, as stated by the Interior Ministry.

Recent Arrests and Planned Modifications

This declaration follows just after nearly 500 individuals were arrested in London for expressing support for a proscribed group, a prohibited organization. The new measures could enable police to instruct regular protests to be moved to alternative locations.

The Home Secretary, will also examine all anti-protest laws, with the possibility to enhance powers to prohibit certain demonstrations outright.

Planned Legislative Modifications

Under the planned powers, Mahmood will implement rapid amendments to the Public Order Act 1986, allowing law enforcement to consider the "combined effect" of repeated demonstrations. Specific details will be provided "at a later date", as per the statement.

Should a demonstration has caused what authorities called "repeated disorder" at the identical location for multiple consecutive weeks, authorities would have the power to order protest leaders to move the gathering to another location, with participants who do not obey risking arrest.

Broader Review and Community Security

Mahmood added that she would "examine existing legislation to guarantee that powers are adequate and being uniformly enforced", covering police powers to ban some demonstrations entirely.

"The freedom to demonstrate is a basic right in our nation. However, this freedom must be balanced with the right of their neighbours to live their lives without fear," Mahmood said.

"Frequent, sizable demonstrations can leave sections of our country, especially faith groups, experiencing insecurity, threatened and scared to leave their homes. This has been especially noticeable in relation to the considerable fear within the Jewish community, which has been expressed to me on many occasions during these challenging times."

"These measures mark an important step in ensuring we protect the freedom to demonstrate while ensuring everyone feel safe in this nation."

Recent Situation and Police Response

The broader powers appear to be aimed at both large-scale pro-Gaza demonstrations, which took place in the capital and some other cities over a series of weeks, and those organized to support Palestine Action.

Recently, authorities detained about five hundred people at the most recent similar demonstration. This gathering took place despite ministers, including senior figures, requesting that it be postponed following the recent deadly attack on a Jewish place of worship in the northern city.

Police Perspective

Following the recent demonstration, the leader of the police representative body stated that officers managing demonstrations in London were "emotionally and physically exhausted".

"Enough is enough. Our concentration should be on keeping people safe at a time when the country is on increased security from a terrorist attack. And instead police are being pulled away to manage these continuous demonstrations," the federation chair said.

Further Legal Measures

These changes follow demonstration-focused provisions in the public safety legislation currently going through parliament, which bans the carrying of masks or pyrotechnics at protests, and criminalises the climbing of certain war memorials.