Sir Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been asked to provide accurate guidelines to police officers regarding the proliferation of Palestinian flags fixed to lamp posts in London streets.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) have seen evidence that police in Redbridge are relying on and giving incorrect legal advice to members of the public regarding these flags. UKLFI observe that this is encouraging criminal offences, intimidation, disrespect for lawful authority and communal strife.

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI, has written to Sir Mark Rowley setting out the legal position and requesting that he provides clearer guidance to police officers in line with it.

In recent months large numbers of Palestinian flags have been fixed to lamp posts in public streets in Redbridge and elsewhere, promoting the Palestinian cause.

Redbridge Council has not given permission for flags to be hung from lamp posts or other street furniture in its public streets and has a policy of removing them. However, in practice this takes some time and, in the meanwhile, they are upsetting and intimidating for Jewish and other residents.

One police officer told several residents in Redbridge on 28 March 2024: “Metropolitan Police guidelines state that flying the flags, as a way of supporting Palestinians, is not illegal nor a criminal offence”. 

A police officer also wrote to a resident saying: “An expression of support for the Palestinian people, including flying the Palestinian flag, does not, alone, constitute a criminal offence. My recommendation would be to report this to the local council to remove/enforce relevant legislation they have the powers to enact.”

A video of an altercation between Redbridge staff removing the flags and members of the public can be viewed here.

In their letter to Sir Mark Rowley, UKLFI have pointed out that it is a criminal offence under s.224(3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (“the Act”) to display a flag advertising support for a cause in contravention of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements)(England) Regulations 2007 (“the Regulations”).

Since no consent has been given by Redbridge Council either as planning authority or highway authority for the display of the Palestinian flags, their display on lamp posts and other street furniture in public streets in Redbridge contravenes the Regulations. This is therefore illegal and a criminal offence.

Jonathan Turner commented: “The Police have a substantial discretion in relation to law enforcement, but this must be exercised on the basis of a correct understanding of the law. Furthermore, information provided by the Police to members of the public as to what is lawful should be accurate. It appears that Police Officers in Redbridge are acting and advising members of the public on the basis of an inaccurate understanding of the law based on unsatisfactory guidance.”