Merseyside Police has assured the public of its impartial role as the city braces for a planned protest by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, August 23.
Superintendent Karl Baldwin addressed community concerns, clarifying that the force has no legal power to stop a peaceful protest from taking place.
He said: “We know that there is concern in relation to the protest and that some people believe that Merseyside Police has the legal power to stop a protest from being carried out. In this country we police by consent. The police therefore police without fear or favour and are apolitical. It is vitally important that the police act with impartiality when working with all parties when peaceful, i.e. non-violent protest is planned.”
Baldwin explained that while organisers are legally required to notify police of processions under the Public Order Act 1986, protests often take place without such notification, and police permission is not required.
“Unlike marches, or processions, there is no legal requirement to notify the police of a protest assembly. However, we have had notification that UKIP intend to protest and undertake a procession in the city on Saturday 23 August 2025,” he stated.
He also cited the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the freedoms of thought, expression, assembly, and association. “Whilst these rights are qualified, and some limited legal restrictions can be applied, there is a very high bar set, both in legislation and case law, for any restrictions put in place to be lawful and compliant with those rights,” he noted.
Emphasising the force’s role, Baldwin added: “It is not the role of Merseyside Police to allow, or permit, any group to assemble or complete a procession or prevent it from taking place. Such an event is considered by policing to be a public order, public safety event and in this case there will be a policing response. The police will be there so that they can act in accordance with their core function, namely to maintain public order, to prevent and detect crime, to ensure public safety and to protect life and property.”
The Superintendent acknowledged the strong feelings surrounding the protest but urged communities to understand the police’s democratic role. “The police are often faced with the challenge of treading the fine line between upholding everyone’s rights to protest equitably, whilst endeavouring to keep the peace and ensure the public are safe. We plan ahead, in a co-ordinated way, to ensure we do this consistently, fairly and proportionately.”
He concluded with an appeal for calm: “Merseyside Police will work with all those seeking to protest, along with our partners and the community to ensure everyone’s views can be heard, whilst encouraging all to always act peacefully and lawfully.”
