Activism

Met Police banned a man from Shoreditch 'after he filmed a stop and search'

Police dropped the Community Protection Notice (CPN) after a legal challenge from human rights group Liberty.

The man was banned from being in Shoreditch by police. Image: Peter Sigrist / Flickr

The Met Police tried to ban a man from being in Shoreditch at weekends after he filmed a stop and search, human rights lawyers have said.

The man filmed the incident in April 2022 while on his way home, and had previously filed complaints about police misconduct, according to Liberty.

He was issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN), which stated he was not allowed to enter Shoreditch from Thursday to Sunday, could not be “within 20 metres” of bus stops and train stations, and was banned from “loitering or being found” near any residential area in Hackney.

The Met eventually overturned the order the day before an appeal hearing was due to take place following intervention from Liberty, who argued it breached the man’s human rights.

Lara ten Caten, a lawyer with Liberty, said: “We should all be free to walk around our neighbourhoods without being detained by local police officers. Police powers are being used far too broadly, and in this case illegitimately. 

“This U-turn from the Metropolitan Police should send a crucial message to all police forces that they must stop criminalising people without evidence.”

The man had no previous convictions, but was known to local police for often recording stop and searches, and had previously been issued with a Community Protection Warning (CPW).

After the CPW was upgraded to a CPN, he was banned from Shoreditch at weekends unless “attending the area for a pre-arranged appointment with a legal representative or are in company with someone from the emergency services or local authority or for legitimate employment”.

It also banned him from “engaging in any conduct causing or capable of causing nuisance, annoyance or harassment, alarm and distress to any person within the Hackney” and being in possession of an open container that could be used for “obtaining money or other reward from other people within the SHOREDITCH NIGHT TIME ECONOMY.”

A breach of the order carried a £2,500 fine.

ten Caten added: “The issuing of disproportionate CPNs is very worrying at any time, but even more so now. By ripping up the Human Rights Act the Government and state bodies are trying to make themselves untouchable. We must remain vigilant and hold those in power to account.”

The Met Police did not comment.

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
This man let 12 strangers give £100,000 of his money away. Governments should follow suit
Philanthropy

This man let 12 strangers give £100,000 of his money away. Governments should follow suit

Housing estate plagued by mould, damp and dire conditions. Now, residents are fighting back
tower hamlets
Housing

Housing estate plagued by mould, damp and dire conditions. Now, residents are fighting back

'He's like a caged animal in the flat': Meet the parents fighting for an adult social care revolution
Parents and children take part in a sensory parachute exercise at Linden Farm
Social care

'He's like a caged animal in the flat': Meet the parents fighting for an adult social care revolution

Big Issue founder John Bird celebrates vendors at House of Lords – and vows to help end destitution
National Vendor Week

Big Issue founder John Bird celebrates vendors at House of Lords – and vows to help end destitution

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know