News

Arrests made outside Scotland Yard as Met enforces protest crackdown

Published

3 months ago

March 29, 2026

Sixteen held as police press ahead despite ongoing legal dispute

SIXTEEN protesters have been arrested outside New Scotland Yard in London after holding placards expressing support for Palestine Action, as the Metropolitan Police Service continues to enforce controversial powers under terrorism legislation.

The demonstrators, described by campaign group Defend Our Juries as peaceful, were sitting outside the Met’s headquarters holding signs reading: “I oppose genocide – I support Palestine Action.”

The arrests come just days after the force confirmed it would resume enforcement action, reversing an earlier position taken following a February ruling by the High Court which found the proscription of Palestine Action to be unlawful.

Policy reversal

In the wake of that ruling, the Met had stated it would pause arrests and instead “focus on gathering evidence,” describing that approach as “the most proportionate” while awaiting further legal clarity.

However, earlier this week the force confirmed it would resume arrests under the Terrorism Act 2000, citing the need to provide clear guidance to officers and enforce the law as it currently stands.

The Government has since been granted permission to appeal the High Court decision, with the case due to be heard at the Court of Appeal later this month.

Welsh protesters involved

There is also a clear Welsh dimension to the protests, with campaigners from Pembrokeshire and across Wales regularly travelling to London to take part in demonstrations linked to Palestine Action.

The Herald understands that Welsh protesters have already been arrested at previous events prior to the High Court ruling, raising concerns locally about the use of terrorism legislation against those attending peaceful protests.

The latest arrests are therefore likely to resonate in west Wales, where opposition to the policing approach has been growing among activists and community groups.

Legal and political criticism

The move has drawn criticism from campaigners and legal figures. Law firm Hodge Jones & Allen has argued that such arrests may be unlawful, given the High Court’s findings.

Critics say the situation has created a legal grey area, with police continuing to enforce legislation that has already been ruled unlawful but remains in effect pending appeal.

Labour MP Diane Abbott previously described the use of terrorism powers in such cases as “an abuse of power to silence opinions [the police] want to suppress.”

Protesters speak out

Among those taking part was Árainn Hawker, 54, from Somerset, who said: “The courts have ruled that this proscription is illegal… yet people are still being arrested under it. That is an affront to justice.”

Another protester, who gave their name as Ams, said they believed the arrests were intended to deter further demonstrations, adding: “I refuse to be intimidated and I refuse to comply with this authoritarian overreach.”

Further protests planned

Defend Our Juries has announced plans for a further mass protest in Trafalgar Square on April 11, as part of its ongoing “Lift the Ban” campaign.

Despite the backlash, the Metropolitan Police Service has indicated it will continue enforcing the law pending the outcome of the appeal, meaning further arrests are likely in the coming weeks.

Crime

Scaffolder banned after cannabis smell reported from van

Published

13 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A SCAFFOLDER has been banned from driving for 14 months after an off-duty police officer smelt cannabis coming from his Volkswagen Transporter as it travelled through Slebech.

The report was made to police at around 10.30am on February 15. When officers located the vehicle, they discovered it was being driven by 46-year-old Christopher Bennett.

Further blood tests showed Bennett had 16.8 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

This week Bennett, of Queensdown Gardens, Brislington, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. He was represented in court by Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is remorseful for his actions and recognises the seriousness of the offence,” Ms Harries told the Bench.

“He suffers significant pain following operations to his shoulders and has been prescribed codeine. But this causes drowsiness, so he began self-medicating using cannabis.

“On the day of the offence, he was in worse pain than usual, so he used cannabis earlier than he normally does.”

Ms Harries said the conviction would have serious financial consequences for Bennett, who works as a self-employed scaffolder.

“His driving licence is fundamental to his livelihood,” she said.

“The financial consequences are going to be significant to him, as well as to those who are dependent on him.”

Magistrates fined Bennett £600 and ordered him to pay a £240 surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Crime

Estate agent banned after drug-drive crash in Milford Haven

Published

14 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Alison Walker had nearly five times the legal benzoylecgonine limit in her system

A PEMBROKESHIRE estate agent has been banned from the road after admitting driving through Milford Haven with nearly five times the legal limit of a cocaine metabolite in her system.

Alison Walker, 59, was arrested on February 2 after her white MG was involved in a two-car collision on Great North Road, Milford Haven.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, just damage to the vehicles,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Walker was arrested and asked to provide blood samples. These showed she had 240mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

Walker, of Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to drug-driving and was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

He told the bench that prior to the offence, Walker had been employed as an estate agent.

“She has a good relationship with her boss, and as soon as this conviction is dealt with and her sentence has been served, he will be happy for her to return to her employment,” he said.

After considering a comprehensive probation report, magistrates disqualified Walker from driving for 20 months.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs. Walker must also carry out a 12-month community order, during which she must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Crime

Pembroke Dock motorist banned after driving with cocaine in system

Published

14 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with more than seven times the legal cocaine limit in her system.

Naomi Grant, 47, was stopped by police on the night of February 6 as she drove her Vauxhall Astra along the A477 near Pembroke Dock.

After providing a positive roadside drug swipe, Grant, of Cheriton Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was taken for further tests.

Blood analysis showed she had 74mcg of cocaine in her system. The legal limit is 10mcg. She also had 1,200mcg of benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine, where the legal limit is 50mcg.

This week Grant, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two charges of drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

She was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who told the court that his client is currently prescribed a considerable amount of medication for a number of medical issues.

“She also has her own personal assistant as a result of her medical needs,” he said.

“She has done everything that has been asked of her in relation to this offence and has engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service to help her move forward.”

Magistrates disqualified Grant from driving for 12 months and fined her £120.

She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.