Fury over £25m cost of policing pro-Palestine marches, MPs warn

Protests disrupting police work

Pro-Palestine marches have incurred a cost of over £25 million for taxpayers and are placing an "unsustainable" burden on the police, according to MPs. The protests related to Israel's military response to Hamas terror attacks on October 7 have been severely disrupting officers' ability to combat crime.

Hate crimes on the rise

The Home Affairs Committee highlighted the significant increase in hate crimes during these demonstrations, with more than 4,000 rest days cancelled in three months to ensure sufficient police presence. The report also revealed that police have identified offenses of hate crime, support for proscribed organizations, and intimidation tactics during the protests.

Financial strain on police forces

By December, the Metropolitan Police had already spent £18.9 million on policing these marches, while costs outside London reached £6.5 million. MPs expressed concerns that the deployment of officers from various regions to support the Met could impact everyday policing activities across the country.

Impact on the Jewish community

Additionally, the report highlighted a surge in hate crimes following the October 7 attacks, leading to half of British Jews contemplating leaving the UK due to safety concerns. The ongoing protests have raised significant challenges for law enforcement and community cohesion.