Police have released a statement regarding the planned 'freedom rally' in Stroud tomorrow, warning protestors not to attend.

Those who

Anti-lockdown campaigner Piers Corbyn was scheduled to speak at the rally, which organisers have called the first and biggest ‘freedom rally’ in the Gloucestershire and Cotswolds region.

The event was scheduled to take place in Stratford Park but organisers were refused permission to do so by Stroud District Council last week.

Mr Corbyn tweeted a picture promoting the rally on Tuesday, November 3.

A statement from Gloucestershire police said:

As off Thursday November 5, 2020, the Health Protection (Corona Virus, Restrictions) (England) (No.4) Regulations 2020 came into effect as England entered into its second lockdown period. These measures will apply until Wednesday December 2 2020.

Previously, with certain conditions, protest activity was permitted but this is not the case during this lockdown.

Gathering in groups of more than two in public spaces is now illegal.

Gloucestershire Constabulary will be enforcing the current regulations throughout the lockdown period.

The Constabulary always seeks to balance the rights of individuals, facilitating peaceful protest.

Previously we have been working to balance the public health risk of any gathering with the rights of those who wish to protest. In considering these competing rights our officers must now take into consideration the new legislation. This legislation makes it clear that the public health of the general population is to be prioritised over an individual’s right to protest.

Therefore anyone gathering to protest will:

1. Receive a warning, informing them their actions are illegal and asking them to disperse.

2. If they continue, they will be issued a Fixed penalty Notice of £200.

3. If the warning and Fixed Penalty does not lead to the individual dispersing they will be removed from the area by a police officer, using reasonable force if necessary.

Anyone involved in organising a gathering of more than 30 people will be liable for a fine of £10,000.

A key point in relation to the current national lockdown is that: “No person may leave or be outside of the place where they are living without reasonable excuse.” Attending a protest is not an exception.

In indoor settings (including private dwellings) no person may participate in a gathering which:

• Consists of two or more people, and

• Takes place indoors, including in a private dwelling

Outdoors, no person may participate in a gathering which:

• Takes place in a public outdoor place and consists of more than two people, or

• Takes place in any other outdoor place including outdoor parts of a private dwelling e.g. gardens and consists of two or more people

A relevant person may take such action as is necessary to enforce any restrictions imposed by these Regulations. Where an officer considers that a number of people are gathered together in contravention of a restriction, they can:

• Direct the people in the gathering to disperse,

• Direct any person in the gathering to return to the place where they are living, or

• Remove any person from the gathering (an officer may use reasonable force, if necessary, in exercise of the power)

Gloucestershire Constabulary strongly advises everyone to stay away from any planned protest or gatherings during this lockdown period.