Police to block ‘intimidating’ protests near places of worship, says Home Office

The Home Office highlighted the targeting of mosques in Southport, Hull, Sunderland and elsewhere during last summer’s violent disorder last summer. Photograph: Getty Images

The government plans to give police in England and Wales powers to change the route or timing of protest marches planned outside places of worship in order to give greater protection against intimidation.

The government is to include the powers in an amendment to the crime and policing bill after concerns were raised about protests near synagogues and mosques.