The Government has announced more powers for the police and tougher sentences for motorway protesters, cracking down on the disruption they cause for people going about their daily lives.

In recent weeks so-called ‘activists’ from Insulate Britain have brought our major roads to a standstill – breaking the law, causing mayhem for people going about their lives and creating extra pollution. That is why the Government will amend the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill to increase the maximum penalty for disrupting a motorway to an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison - or both, and grant new powers for the police to search and seize equipment, preventing serious disruption.

Whilst the Labour Party stand on the side of these so-called ‘activists’, the Conservatives are getting on with the job, backing the law abiding, hard working majority of people in this country.

The Prime Minister commented:

“This Government will always stand on the side of the law-abiding majority and ensure the toughest penalties possible for criminals who deliberately bring major roads to a standstill.

“We will give the police the powers they need to stop their reckless and selfish behaviour.

“The right to protest is sacrosanct, but there is no right to inflict chaos and misery on people trying to go about their lives.”

The Home Secretary commented:

“The right to protest is a fundamental principle of our democracy but we will not tolerate guerrilla tactics that obstruct people going about their day-to-day business.

“That is why we will increase the maximum penalty for disrupting a motorway to an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison – or both.”

Additional £25 Million for our Safer Street Fund

Today the Government has announced an additional £25 million through our Safer Street Fund to increase the safety of public spaces, with a particular focus on tackling violence against women and girls, as we build back safer from the pandemic.

We have made good progress in tackling violence against women and girls, but these crimes are still all too prevalent in our society. That is why the Government is delivering a further £25 million through our Safer Streets Fund – taking total investment up to £70 million – aimed at increasing the safety of public spaces for all, with a particular focus on making spaces safer for women and girls. 

We are getting on with the job, and as we build back safer from the pandemic, tackling violence against women and girls will remain a key priority for us.

The Home Secretary commented:

"We have made good progress in tackling violence against women and girls, but these crimes are still all too prevalent in our society.

"That is why earlier this year we launched the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, informed by the largest ever public survey of women and girls on this issue.

"As part of this, the £25 million Safer Streets Fund will invest in crime prevention initiatives across the country where women and girls say they feel most unsafe. 

"The tragic cases of Sarah Everard, Sabina Nessa, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman touched us all. As we Build Back Safer from the pandemic, tackling violence against women and girls is my priority."