Anti-protest injunctions cover more than 1,200 locations, report shows
There are more than 1,200 locations in which controversial anti-protest injunctions apply, research from the BBC has revealed.
Anti-protest injunctions are issued against unknown and unidentifiable defendants instead of named defendants, thereby "maximising" the range of people covered by the terms.
The injunctions block where and how people can protest, in some cases restricting protestors from walking slowly in front of vehicles.
They also cover actions like blocking roads or climbing onto vehicles intended to delay traffic in and out of a site.
Those found in breach of the orders face potential imprisonment, asset seizures, and costs.
Data gathered by File on 4 shows that two such injunctions have been issued by councils: one by North Warwickshire and a joint injunction by Essex and Thurrock.
Oil companies have taken out eight injunctions, while National Highways and Transport for London have taken out five.
Thurrock and Essex secured their injunction against individuals connected with the protest group Just Stop Oil in 2022.
The council said that the injunction, which prevents protestors from blocking roads or impending vehicles at key fuel terminals in the borough, helps protect the sites which are "key to national supply".
In a statement given in April 2022, the council said: "The innovative legal measures prevent the activity and tactics protestors used to create disruption at these sites and is set to act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of coming to Thurrock to carry out similar activity in the area in the future."
Legal campaign group Friends of the Earth has criticised anti-protest injunctions as "fundamentally unfair".
In May, the group filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) challenging the use of anti-protest injunctions in the UK.
Their argument centres on articles 10 and 11 (freedom of expression) and article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention of Human Rights.
Adam Carey
