Officers deployed as part of planned protest in Dudley town centre
Officers have been deployed across Dudley and the wider area as a protest takes place in the town.
Police officers have been deployed across Dudley town centre as a planned protest takes place.
West Midlands Police said officers had been deployed as part of a policing plan in place to ensure everyone attending can lawfully express their views, while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
The force said it recognised that events of this nature could cause concern for the community and businesses and said it was working closely with Dudley Council and partner agencies to maintain public safety.
This includes a designated area under Section 158 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 in relation to face covering being put in place between 11am and 6.30pm on Saturday.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “Within this area, it will be an offence under s157 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 for anyone to conceal their identity for the purposes of avoiding identification.
“Exemptions apply for religious, health and work-related face coverings.
“Anyone who conceals their identity will commit an offence under section 157 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 and may be liable to arrest.
“We respect people's right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest. Those rights are fundamental in a democratic society.
“However, where restrictions have been lawfully put in place, officers will take action against people who deliberately refuse to comply with them.
“These powers exist to help prevent crime and disorder, ensure communities feel safe and support the safe policing of protests. Where the legal threshold is met, we will use these powers fairly, proportionately and without favour.
“We will always seek to apply the law impartially while protecting both public safety and the rights of those attending protests.
“We would ask anyone with any concerns to speak to our officers patrolling or call 101 and, in an emergency, always dial 999.”