Britain is grappling with allegations of a “two-tier policing” problem, as freedom of information data reveals that 21 out of 24 banned marches in the past 30 years were proposed by far-right groups. The controversy has sparked a heated debate over whether law enforcement is biased against certain segments of society. But experts argue the real issue is a crisis of confidence in policing overall.
Far-Right Marches Dominate Banned Protests
Of the two dozen marches prohibited by the home secretary since 1994, the vast majority were organized by far-right entities like the British National Party, English Defence League, and neo-Nazi groups. Only three fell outside this category.
Critics claim this is proof of discriminatory policing targeting white nationalists. Even prominent figures like Elon Musk and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman have accused police of having double standards for rightwing versus leftwing demonstrators.
Experts: Public Trust in Police at Risk
However, policing veterans like Sir Hugh Orde, former head of the Association of Chief Police Officers, reject notions of an intentional bias conspiracy. The real problem, Orde argues, is that British policing has lost the trust of the communities it serves.
The legitimacy of policing is built on trust, on everyday interactions from the bottom up between police and citizen. Without that trust, confidence and legitimacy a model that relies on public support and consent is at risk.
– Sir Hugh Orde, Former President of the Association of Chief Police Officers
Crime-Solving Rates Plummet as Police Face Cuts
This erosion of trust coincides with a steep decline in law enforcement’s effectiveness in tackling crime. In the year ending March 2024, a mere 6.4% of offenses in England and Wales were solved — less than half the 15.5% figure from 2015.
Severe funding shortfalls are compounding the crisis, with police forces warning of thousands of officer and staff job losses on the horizon. The Met alone braces for 2,300 fewer officers due to budget pressures.
Calls for Fundamental Policing Reforms
Orde and other experts contend that incremental changes are no longer sufficient to fix systemic issues. They advocate for a new Royal Commission to thoroughly modernize a policing model largely unchanged since the 1960s.
- Prioritize visible community policing
- Merge police forces for greater coordination and efficiency
- Establish an independent “parades commission” to decide on protest bans
The gap between supply and demand is such that it’s doomed to fail if you simply try some sort of incremental reform. It’s got to be root and branch now.
– Sir Hugh Orde
Perception vs. Reality in Protest Policing
As for the accusations of biased demonstration policing, insiders say the real “two-tier” approach is based on the size of the crowds rather than their politics. Banning and enforcing against small far-right rallies is far more practical than cracking down on massive pro-Palestinian marches, for instance.
Yet the perception of prejudice persists, inflamed by a lack of police resources to handle routine crime that gets misinterpreted by the public as a lack of will. In an age of viral misinformation, the police are struggling to control the narrative.
Britain at a Policing Crossroads
As it stands, public confidence in law enforcement is in freefall, with the system “doomed to fail” without urgent and far-reaching reforms. The stakes could not be higher, as a society’s stability and security ultimately hinge on the legitimacy of those entrusted to protect and serve.
Britain finds itself at a critical juncture, with the very future of policing hanging in the balance. Can leaders summon the courage to enact transformative change before it is too late? The coming years will be decisive in determining the fate of this foundational institution.
