An urgent new report released by Policy Exchange, ‘Just Stop Oil’ protests: A legal and policing quagmire’ sets out how the police can more effectively tackle the chaos that disruptive protests are bringing to our streets.

Over the last month ‘Just Stop Oil’ protestors have brought London to a standstill – causing Criminal Damage, obstructing the highway, blocking ambulances and fire engines, disrupting Londoners from going about their daily lives.

These protests are also eating into police time, with 8,000 frontline police shifts diverted from fighting crime in local communities to deal with the protests

New research conducted by Policy Exchange has found that organisers are asking protestors to sign contracts which commit them to taking action which will lead to them being arrested.

Policy Exchange recommendations in the report include:

• Deterrent: Sentencing and bail guidelines should be reviewed so that tougher sentences can be handed to repeat offenders who are causing consistent disruption.
  

• Compensation: Local authorities and public bodies, such as TfL, should pursue protestors, their organisers and backers through the courts for financial compensation for the damage they have caused.
  

• Effective action:  The College of Policing should overhaul their lengthy Conflict Management Model, which is delaying officers from taking swift action against protestors.
  

• Stopping manipulation: Organisers who are getting protestors to sign contracts committing themselves to break the law should be investigated, as they may be committing serious criminal offences.
  

• Closing legal loopholes: Parliament should enact legislation to close legal loopholes which protestors are taking advantage of, which hamstring the police and cause chaos on our streets.