Rishi Sunak backs tougher police powers to shut down protests before they get disruptive

Outrage from civil liberties groups over fresh attempt to curb ‘guerrilla’ tactics

Police could be allowed to intervene before protests become highly disruptive, under new measures set to be considered in parliament, Rishi Sunak’s government has confirmed.

An amendment to the Public Order Bill, to be introduced on Monday, will aim to give police greater clarity about when they can intervene to stop demonstrators blocking roads or slow marching.

The proposals – aimed at curbing the tactics used by activists groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion – come after police chiefs claimed there is some uncertainty over what can be currently classed as “serious disruption” under existing law.