In the shadow of mounting threats to UK democracy, the Crime and Policing Bill 2025 proposes jail terms of up to six months for activists who protest outside MPs' private homes. Announced on 3 November 2025, the amendment follows a survey by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle revealing that 96 per cent of MPs have faced harassment or intimidation.
As police powers expand under tightened UK protest laws, Amnesty International slams it as 'an alarming assault on the right to peacefully protest', fuelling clashes over doorstep intimidation, Just Stop Oil tactics, Gaza protests at MPs homes, and balancing security with freedoms.
What the Crime and Policing Bill Would Change
Introduced on 25 February 2025, the Crime and Policing Bill bolsters law enforcement against anti-social behaviour, knife crime, and violence against women, now shielding public officials from home-targeted disruptions.
The 3 November amendment criminalises protests outside private homes of MPs, peers, councillors, and candidates if intended to sway their duties or personal lives, imposing up to six months' imprisonment. It broadens section 42 of the 2001 Criminal Justice and Police Act for harassment, clarifying police interventions against what Home Office calls 'toxic behaviour in UK politics'.
Official sites like Downing Street stay open to rallies, per government factsheets stressing proportionate safeguards for communities. Passed second reading on 10 March 2025, the bill reflects Labour's drive to counter evolving threats without curbing legitimate expression.
Politicians' Ordeal and the Drive for Protection
Escalating doorstep intimidation propels the Crime and Policing Bill's safeguards, with MPs facing relentless targeting. Pro-Gaza crowds besieged Tobias Ellwood's Bournemouth home, branding him genocide-complicit. Mike Freer resigned last year after office arson, Stella Creasy decried anti-abortion invasions in Walthamstow, and Youth Demand laid children's shoes outside Keir Starmer's north London door over Israel arms sales.
Arrests hit Rishi Sunak's constituency residence, while body bags marked David Lammy's amid child death accusations. Security Minister Dan Jarvis called the abuse 'truly shocking – it's a threat to our democracy. People should be able to participate... without fearing for their own or their family's safety.'
The Jo Cox Foundation backs it: 'Protest and robust debate are important... without crossing the line into intimidation at someone's home.' Hoyle's poll underscores 96 per cent affected, demanding action.
Activist Backlash and Implications for Rights
Supporters view the bill as vital, but critics fear it stifles dissent in UK protest laws. Amnesty warns of 'yet another assault on the right to peacefully protest', highlighting face-cover bans and directive expansions.
Just Stop Oil, after carolling at Starmer's for climate policy, now pivots but dreads chilled activism from jail threats. Jessica Elgot posted on X: 'Activists could be jailed for six months... Amendment laid tonight... to stop activists targeting at private homes – but likely to draw further criticism on attacks on protest rights.'
Exc - Activists could be jailed for six months for protesting outside MPs’ homes.
— Jessica Elgot (@jessicaelgot) November 3, 2025
Amendment laid tonight by government to beef up policing bill to stop activists targeting at private homes- but likely to draw further criticism on attacks on protest rights
The Council of Europe urged policing reviews on 14 October 2025 for proportionality. Liberty and others decry rally impacts, pledging opposition as Hansard debates protections for worship sites alongside home curbs. This pits MPs harassment defence against democratic tools.
As parliamentary scrutiny intensifies on 4 November 2025 during an opposition day debate touching on criminal justice reforms, the bill's architects emphasise its role in deterring the 'industrial levels' of abuse that plagued the 2024 election, where 55 per cent of candidates endured harassment or intimidation.
