Kill the Bill: More Sussex Police officers to man streets

Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Brighton to demonstrate against the controversial new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill.

In preparation for the protest, Sussex Police have told The Argus there will be "more police presence in some areas".

It comes as people from across the city marched through the city in a public display of opposition to the bill last week.

Demonstrators carried banners and placards from The Level to Brighton Police Station in John Street at 5pm, where they remained on and off for more than four hours.

The force said the public should not be "alarmed" by the increase in officers expected the city's streets today.

The Kill the Bill protest is set for 1pm today

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "We are aware of protest activity planned in Brighton on Saturday.

"We have a policing operation in place and as such the public will see more police presence in some areas, although this isn't something to be alarmed about.

"Officers will continue to engage with people and keep explaining the Covid-19 restrictions which remain in place at this time and urge the public to carry on supporting us in our efforts to prevent the further spread of the virus.

"Public safety is, and always will be the police's top priority, and this hasn’t changed throughout our approach to the pandemic."

READ MORE >> Kill the Bill: why are people opposed to government legislation?

The controversial bill looks to increase the maximum penalty for criminal damage of less than £5,000 to a memorial from three months to ten years’ imprisonment, the same maximum sentence for non-sexual child abuse.

It would also grant police additional powers to restrict protests by imposing start and finish times and setting noise limits.

These limitations could be applied to a protest involving a single person.