This Bill stands up for the rights of those whose lives are disrupted by protests

The police have told us that the rules they must follow are out of date and have stated their support for further measures to manage highly disruptive protests

Fairness belongs to the silent majority, not those who shout the loudest. As the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill makes its way through the House of Lords, the clamour from the so-called “Kill the Bill” brigade is rising.

But the legislation does not seek to smother the legal and legitimate right of free speech – a freedom hard-won and cherished in the United Kingdom. Instead, it will strengthen police powers to tackle non-violent protests and allow them to take a more proactive approach towards highly disruptive demonstrations.

I hope it will tip the balance back in favour of the majority of the population who want to go about their daily lives without the disruption, nuisance and fear caused by the illegal activity of a few.

Here in Hertfordshire an Extinction Rebellion operation blockaded the newspaper printworks in Broxbourne leading to millions not getting their daily news. Not only does this put livelihoods at risk, it was also a clear attack on the free press.

Previously, hundreds of thousands of commuters were prevented from getting to or from work as the group vowed to “shut down the heart of the capital”.

Far too often these disrupters expect the full protection of the law, while ignoring the legitimate rights of others. We really do need to think about the rights of the broader population, rather than just the rights of protesters.

This week, another three Extinction Rebellion protesters have had their convictions quashed for lying down in the road to cause disruption. The decision of the CPS not to contest these appeals sets a perilous precedent which could see the decriminalising of civil disobedience.

The new proposal would make it easier for the police to intervene and break up a static demonstration where it causes a public nuisance.

Many of these demonstrations are intimidating to communities and a balance needs to be struck between those who want to protest peacefully, and those who want to disrupt the lives of those around them, hours, days or weeks at a time.

This legislation is the first in 35 years to address public order, and is needed because protester tactics have changed. The police have told us that the rules they must follow are out of date and have stated their support for further powers to manage highly disruptive protests. The measures in this Bill will enable police to manage demonstrations so that legitimate protest groups can make their voices heard without disrupting the lives and livelihoods of others.

Changes in legislation mean that the police will be able to impose conditions to prevent unjustifiably noisy protests that cause harm to others or prevent an organisation from operating.

This strengthening will be very helpful for the police and welcomed by the public who rightly expect to be given the full protection of the law. No one wants to see restrictions put on peaceful protests, but some of the scenes that have played out in the past few years have undermined public confidence in the police. Mob rule must not gain the upper hand.

The Bill will also give the police additional powers to deal with those who reside, or intend to reside, on any public or private land without permission.

Having a very clear criminal offence will enable officers to react rapidly and decisively. The public are often frustrated and fearful when large uninvited gatherings of Travellers take place on their land. They feel powerless.

I was contacted by one landowner who was almost driven to bankruptcy by an unauthorised encampment which then took on industrial levels of fly-tipping. He was left with a £150,000 clear-up bill, and two years later, when I drive past the site, the rubbish is still there.

He, and thousands like him, are at the end of their tether. The measures in this Bill are about sending a message so that the public recognise that we are on the side of the quiet, decent majority.

This significant piece of legislation gives our officers the powers and tools they need to protect us all.

Free speech and the rule of law must apply to all. This Bill allows that to happen.