An illegal encampment by the Thames outside the US Embassy is still there 8 months later.  UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has written to Richmond and Wandsworth Councils regarding the encampment, situated at Nine Elms Pavilion on the Thames embankment.

The camp comprises a handful of tents, an open kitchen area and communal seating, as well as banners and posters.  It is proposed by the activists that the encampment will remain in place until there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The banners on display include: “End the siege on Gaza now”, “This is your genocide”, “Stop the genocide”, “Free Palestine” and “Stop Arming Israel”.  There are also several Palestinian flags around the site

UKLFI has received comments from concerned locals, including:

“I am appalled to see that Wandsworth Council continues to allow surely what is an illegal encampment by the river near to the American Embassy.”

 “The ‘community camp for Palestine’ has been there for months with flags by the river, tents and banners. I am distressed every time I walk past here. I feel intimidated and take exception to the statements being made.”

“The posters have increased in number over the last few months.   This is totally unacceptable.”

 Since Richmond and Wandsworth Council own the land on which the activists have set up their “encampment”, it is their responsibility to evict the protesters themselves, or to instruct bailiffs to do so, and then clear the site.

UKLFI has also pointed out to the Council that displaying the flags and banners in a public place requires planning permission according to the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements)(England) Regulations 2007 (as amended).

Under this legislation flags and banners are regarded as a kind of advertisement.  Displaying them in public places requires planning permission unless they are covered by one of the exceptions, for example if permission has been granted by the site owner.  If no permission has been granted, the owner must take steps to remove them or may itself be committing a criminal offence.

The Council does not appear to have taken all reasonable steps to secure the removal of the flags or banners on its land and therefore has committed and is continuing to commit criminal offences.

UKLFI has asked that the Council and its officers comply with their legal obligations in this matter and ensure the swift removal of the flags and banners.

UKLFI also pointed out that where an offence committed by a body corporate is attributable to any neglect on the part of an officer of that body, the officer as well as the body are guilty of the offence. If the Council have not taken reasonable steps to ensure the removal of the flags and banners, its officers could be guilty of criminal offences in this matter.

In response to one of the resident’s complaints, the Parks Police said:

“Please be assured that the Council is aware of the encampment you have described. Parks Police are actively working with our partners, including the Metropolitan Police and other relevant agencies, to monitor the situation and assess the appropriate steps in line with legal processes and public safety considerations. In some cases, formal notice and court proceedings are necessary before enforcement action can be taken.

 Addressing unauthorised encampments can be a complex and sensitive matter, requiring careful management to ensure that any action taken is lawful, proportionate, and mindful of wider public protection responsibilities. I can assure you that your concerns have been noted and that we are continuing to work with the Metropolitan police towards a resolution.

 Please rest assured that we take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving the situation lawfully and as swiftly as possible.”

A spokesperson for UKLFI commented: “Richmond and Wandsworth Council have failed to act promptly to remove the unsightly and illegal encampments as it appears that after 8 months they are still assessing the situation.  We hope that following our letter, the encampment as well as flags and banners will be rapidly removed.”