Metropolitan Police have warned farmers planning to protest in central London to leave their tractors at home or face arrest.
The force has imposed conditions under the Public Order Act ahead of the demonstration on Tuesday.
The warning follows disruption caused by farming vehicles at a previous protest, when Whitehall was blocked “for much of the day”.
Only a limited number of tractors arranged by organisers with prior police permission will be allowed at the event.
Farmers took their tractors to Whitehall in protest over Rachel Reeves’s inheritance tax raid
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Farmers protesting in London on February 10
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Action will take place from 11am-3pm next week
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The force has been in “regular contact” with protest organisers to explain their decision-making.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell, who is commanding the policing operation, said: “Two previous protests have taken place in the same area, with the same organisers, in recent months.
“The second protest saw a significant number of people attend with tractors and other large farming vehicles. Whitehall was blocked for much of the day and there were lengthy significant delays on surrounding roads.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that protests don’t cause serious disruption to the life of the community and we’ve used our powers under the Public Order Act to ensure that does not happen on Tuesday.”
Police have warned that anyone breaching the rules could face arrest
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Police confirmed the conditions imposed under the Public Order Act are as follows:
Section 14(3) Public Order Act
Individuals taking part in the Farmers Protest assembly must not drive, or otherwise use, mechanically propelled vehicles without having obtained authority, in advance, from the Metropolitan Police.
Section 12(3) Public Order Act
Individuals taking part in the Farmers Protest procession must not drive, or otherwise use, mechanically propelled vehicles without obtained authority, in advance, from the Metropolitan Police.
The Met has warned that breaching these conditions is a criminal offence.
Anyone who violates the conditions or incites others to do so may face arrest.
