Council wants apology from Met after volunteers handing out rape alarms arrested

A LONDON council has demanded an apology from the Metropolitan Police after the force arrested a number of its volunteers who were handing out rape alarms to women at King Charles’ Coronation last week.

The Met has said they detained the two women and a man over fears they would chuck the devices into the procession.

Westminster City Council said it is “deeply concerned” by the arrests and has insisted the safety volunteers were carrying out a public service.

Commenting on the officers’ decision, the Met claimed it had “received intelligence” suggesting people were planning to disrupt proceedings “using rape alarms”, and that there was particular concern this would scare horses.

As a result, a spokesperson added there was “a significant risk to the safety of the public and the riders”.

Now, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, Councillor Aicha Less, has said in a statement: “We have met with the Metropolitan Police to discuss the arrest of our Night Stars, about which we have been deeply concerned. We are pleased to confirm that all three of our volunteers, who provide such a valuable service to the community, have been released without charge and will not face any further action.

“In addition, the Leader of the Council, Cllr Adam Hug, has also written to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, setting out the reasons for our concerns about the handling of this matter. He has also requested an apology is made to the three volunteers.

“We continue to offer our Night Stars our full support and are also mindful about the potential impact of this matter on our night safety work, much of which is reliant upon members of the public giving up their free time. That’s why we will continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to keep the city safe and to learn from this unfortunate incident.”

The Met also expressed “regret” on Monday May 8 and confirmed six activists from the antimonarchist group Republic, including its chief executive Graham Smith, will not face charges after being detained. The force added that it was “not clear at the time” that the group had been engaging with police relating to their protest.

A spokesperson said: “The Protest Liaison Team were not the arresting officers, nor were they present at the time of the arrest. The investigation team have now fully examined the items seized and reviewed the full circumstances of the arrest.

“Those arrested stated the items would be used to secure their placards, and the investigation has been unable to prove intent to use them to lock on and disrupt the event. All six have had their bail cancelled and no further action will be taken.

“We regret that those six people arrested were unable to join the wider group of protesters in Trafalgar Square and elsewhere on the procession route.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan sent a letter to the Met commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, demanding that ‘lessons are learned’. He said: “Despite the welcome efforts of so many committed officers, it is clear that some of the arrests made have given rise to concerns and, in my oversight role as Mayor, I am seeking assurance from you that the issues related to these will be subject to a review and lessons learned. In particular, I would ask that you urgently provide me with further information on:

■■The arrests of six members of the ‘Republic’ group, and why the arresting officers did not appear to know or take into account of, the liaison Republic had undertaken with Met in advance of the event?

■■Why the Protest Liaison Officer was not part of the decisionmaking process on the arrests or even contacted?

■■Why there was not a faster resolution in respect of these arrests following the initial decision to arrest?

■■What role the new legislation played in the arrests, and what consideration was given to concerns raised by City Hall that Section 2 Public Order Act 2023 ‘being equipped to Lock On’ was so broadly drawn, that it could interfere with peaceful protest if not carefully interpreted?

■■What liaison took place with Westminster City Council after the arrests of the ‘Night Star’ volunteers?

■■What briefing was provided to officers who were-drafted in from outside of Westminster borough area to ensure they were aware of local partnership arrangements?”