Police are aware that demonstrations about agricultural reforms in India are due to take place in Birmingham and Sandwell on Sunday (20 December).
Similar demonstrations took place last Saturday (12 December) which caused significant traffic disruption in Birmingham city centre, West Bromwich, the Jewellery Quarter and surrounding roads.
Officers were aware that last week’s rally was due to happen and had a dynamic policing plan in place, however there was no identified organiser and the lack of established route led to additional disruption and delays for other road users − including emergency vehicles.
Police appeal to the community ahead of planned demonstration this weekend.
Police said:
Again, we have had no contact from the individual(s) responsible for organising this proposed rally and we would encourage them to contact us so that we can discuss their plans.
We have another robust policing plan in place to ensure that public safety is maintained, but we’re again urging those who are planning to attend to reconsider.
We respect and support the right to demonstrate, but the current situation means that these type of gatherings pose a risk to public health. Although Birmingham and Sandwell are no longer in lockdown, both areas remain on very high alert in tier three, and strict regulations introduced by the Government remain in place to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Unnecessary travel should therefore be considered.
In the midst of the pandemic, it is crucial that people do everything they can, including limiting social contact, to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Personal choices matter and we’re simply asking people to act responsibly in order to protect others from harm.
Officers will be in the area throughout the day to engage with people proportionately, fairly and with common sense, using the well-established 4Es approach to support the current regulations.
Deliberately not following the regulations and measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus is unacceptable and our officers will take the appropriate action where necessary.
Due to the volume of people and vehicles in attendance last week we prosecuted a number of drivers for road traffic offences including careless driving and issued directions to leave to more than 1,000 people.
Three people were issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice after refusing to comply with regulations following a direction to leave.
We continue to review CCTV, body worn video and drone footage to identify others involved and will take action where appropriate.
We’re working with our partners, local communities and businesses to share our understanding of plans for Sunday, and listening to their concerns.
We’re collectively reminding those who may wish to attend that it’s a serious public health risk, our health services are extremely stretched so not following the current regulations and measures put in place is unacceptable and we will take appropriate action where we need to.
Superintendent Martin Hurcomb, from Sandwell police, said: “If you’re planning on attending or travelling to the West Midlands to take part, I’d urge you not to.
“Please consider your personal responsibility – we’re still in a pandemic which has taken the lives of many people – we’ve all been living with various restrictions placed upon us for many months, which I understand is frustrating, but we must keep up our efforts to get this deadly virus under control. Avoiding large gatherings is one way you can help.
“It’s also the last weekend before Christmas and we expect lots of shoppers to be out, I’d like to remind those people that traffic congestion is highly likely. We’ll be using our traffic officers to monitor this throughout and we will deal with any traffic offences.
“Last weekend we saw incidents where emergency vehicles struggled to get through – this is unacceptable – imagine if it were one of your loved ones in need of help.
“I recognise the right for a peaceful demonstration, but we’re again unable to identify or engage with an organiser for this event. I’d ask them to make contact so we can work together to ensure that our priority, which is keeping you safe, is maintained.”
Councillor Iqbal Padda, from Sandwell Council, said: “As a council and as a community we are focused most of all at this time on the safety of all our people, as we await a vaccine which we hope will signal the end of this pandemic.
“In the meantime, maintaining a safe distance remains one of the most important messages, along with face covering and hand washing.
“While we know that people may have strong feelings about some issues, that should not make them behave in a potentially dangerous way by ignoring vital safety advice.
“I would urge people to think very carefully about the consequences of ignoring these rules.”
Clinical Commissioning Group Chair, Dr Ian Sykes said: “I would urge people to please think before they attend any large gatherings and to ensure that they keep social contacts to a minimum.
“This has been a tough year and we have all made sacrifices, we’re all missing family and friends and it’s understandable to want to be able to go about life as normal.
“However, Covid-19 doesn’t respect this, Covid-19 doesn’t respect the right to freedom of speech, just as it won’t respect the festive period.
“This awful virus is as dangerous now as it was back in March and tragically we continue to see community transmission, people being admitted to our local hospitals and sadly more and more deaths.
“I have a very simple message for local people, the single biggest thing we can all do for our families and friends especially at this time of year is to keep them safe.
“The more we all limit our contacts, regardless of how difficult that might be; the lower the likelihood of there being a wave of COVID admissions into our hospitals in the new year; and therefore the sooner we are all likely to successfully get through this.”