Preparations for ‘policing response’ ahead of further expected fuel protests

Preparations for a “policing response” are under way ahead of further expected fuel protests in Northern Ireland, a senior PSNI officer has said.

Police have also revealed that nine fines were handed out for road traffic offences after slow-moving protests caused traffic disruption across the region on Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said those who may become involved in further protests should consider other road users, particularly emergency or transport services.

Fuel costs have soared globally as a result of the US-Israel war with Iran.

Slow-moving convoys of tractors and other vehicles formed in Belfast and several other areas in Northern Ireland as part of protests against rising energy bills earlier in the week.

While the protests led to significant traffic jams in some areas, the disruption was not on the scale of recent fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland, where motorways were brought to standstills and fuel depots blockaded.

The PSNI said during its operation, nine fixed penalty notices were issued.

It said that officers will “continue to review the footage gathered in order to consider further prosecution for any potential offences”.

Online calls have been issued for further protests at various locations in the region in the coming days

Mr Haslett said: “We are aware of posters online calling for further protests at various locations across Northern Ireland this weekend and next week.

“Preparations for a policing response are under way to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.

“The right to freedom of speech and freedom assembly are fundamental human rights.

“They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest.

“However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.”

Mr Haslett said those considering protest should be aware that all motorists have to consider other road users, particularly critical blue light or transport services”.

He added: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland is required to balance the rights of all members of the public.

“This is particularly acute where processions, or protests, may have an impact on critical road users such as blue light services or on significant transport hubs such as airports and railway and bus stations.

“We will continue to police these protests with the ‘Four Es’ approach of engage, explain, encourage and, where we assess in the context of an individual incident that ​having had regard to all competing rights, enforcement if necessary.

“Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued to a motorist the recipient has the option to contest the matter in a court.

“Those organising public processions involving vehicles must also comply with the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 and the Parades Commission code of conduct.”