Northumbria Police announce Pride plans for this year after 2024 march participation deemed 'unlawful'
Northumbria Police have responded to a judge’s decision their participation in Newcsatle’s Northern Pride last year was unlawful as well as their plans for the upcoming Pride events.
Northern Pride takes place in Newcastle this weekend with thousands of members of the LGBTQ+ community taking to streets and venues across the city.
Events will be taking place across Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20 with the traditional Pride march taking place on the second day of festivities and Northumbria Police have outlined their plans after aspects of their previous participation were demmed unlawful this week.
It was claimed uniformed officers’ participation in pride events meant they would be unable to remain impartial if a dispute between marchers and those with differing views.
The North East force have since outlined their plans for this weekend.
After a High Court hearing in Leeds earlier this month, the judical review did not make a ruling on how the force should approach this year’s event.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Following the recent judgment in Smith v Chief Constable of Northumbria, we can outline the Force’s participation in this year’s Northern Pride march.
“On-duty attendance at the Northern Pride march of Northumbria Police officers and staff is only permitted where it forms part of the official policing response. Officers and staff attending in this capacity must be in uniform and follow our usual standards of conduct and impartiality.”
The force added that off-duty attendance is an individual choice, although any staff do attend, they must not be identifiable as a police officer or member of Northumbria Police. This includes wearing clothes or carrying anything which links them to the police.
The spokesperson added: “This approach is designed to maintain public confidence in our impartiality, while also respecting our employees’ individual rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
“This guidance is not about limiting personal expression, but about ensuring that when our people represent Northumbria Police, they do so in a way that is fair, balanced, and impartial to all communities.
“Northumbria Police will have a community engagement display at Northern Pride.
“In doing so we considered the implications of the recent Judicial Review and also His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) review of Activism and Impartiality in Policing (2024).
“The HMICFRS review emphasised the critical role of community engagement activity in building trust and confidence, particularly amongst communities with historic distrust of the police.
“We feel the complete withdrawal of Northumbria Police engagement from such events would be a retrograde step and damage trust and confidence amongst members of LGBTQ+ community.
“It is our view that there is a legitimate policing purpose for Northumbria Police engagement at the event, as long as we do not show support for the political agenda of Northern Pride.”