Condition imposed on planned Mold protest

North Wales Police is aware of a planned anti-immigration protest due to take place in Mold town centre on Saturday, 29 November.

A condition has been imposed on the protest by the Chief Constable under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, despite attempts to reach a compromise over the location of the event with the protest organisers.

As a result, the protest, and any counter protest, will be relocated to a dedicated site at The Coach Park, New Steet, Mold, CH7 1NZ (as pictured above) - a short distance away and within sight of the original location.

Failing to comply with the condition is a criminal offence and persons who do not follow this direction may be arrested.

The restriction is designed to ensure the rights of all members of the community are respected and protected and is imposed following a number of concerns from residents and businesses around serious disruption to the community as a result of previous protests in the area in recent months.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Allsop said: “We remain committed to facilitating lawful and peaceful protest and ensuring that anyone who wants to make their voice heard can do so lawfully.

“However, we also have a duty to ensure that the rights of all members of the community are respected and protected with minimum disruption to the wider public, which includes residents, businesses and those visiting the town in the run up to Christmas.

“Over recent weeks, North Wales Police has received concerns from residents and business describing the impact of previous protest activity and that further protest at the original site could intimidate the wider public and families who are residents in the area, who may be considered the target of the protest.

“Everyone has the right to live in peace, feel safe in their own home, and to go about their daily life. This condition is designed to strike a fair balance between competing rights and ensuring that protest does not come at the expense of public safety and community wellbeing.

“We will continue to engage with organisers and participants to ensure that everyone understands the conditions and the reasons behind the restrictions.

“While we have no reason to expect disorder on Saturday, we will deal robustly with anyone who chooses to commit criminal offences.”