Bearing in mind the way Thames Valley Police have behaved regarding stickergate, I would not be in the least bit surprised if any policing at the WPUK event once again wilfully ignores abuse, harassment and threats aimed at attendees.
The police have entirely lost the confidence of women. They have broken their own codes of conduct, ignored guidelines, and breached restrictions designed to ensure impartiality in their duty to uphold the law.
If we are met by an angry mob, remember that they were not invited, not given the location, and have therefore deliberately targeted the event in a co-ordinated and organised manner. Anyone in that mob is NOT a victim of so-called hatecrime. They have come to the location looking to make trouble and to stir up hatred against women who are gathering, AS IS OUR RIGHT, to discuss women's rights.
The police must therefore view the WOMEN attending the meeting as the ones who are vulnerable and at risk.
For any woman who is targeted by uninvited, intimidating protestors, THIS is how the police MUST react:
8.4.4 Suspect considerations
If the suspect is identifiable and can be located, and a power of arrest exists, an arrest should be effected at the earliest practical opportunity.
Positive action is preferable but the decision to arrest is always a matter for the officer, and should be based on the evidence available at the time. It should not be based on whether the victim wishes to proceed with a prosecution or not. The officer will, however, have to justify to their immediate supervisors why, if the opportunity existed, an arrest was not made at the time.
8.7.1 Code of Practice for Victims of Crime
The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime defines a victim of hate crime as an intimidated victim. It places an obligation on the police service to identify all vulnerable and intimidated victims and to provide them with the enhanced level of service to which they are entitled during an investigation.
I will be keeping a very close eye on proceedings and if I see any officer in dereliction of their duties I shall not hesitate to lodge a formal complaint with Thames Valley Police, and to pursue that complaint as far as the judiciary if needs be.
I would urge us all to do the same.