Public Order Act 2009 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 4 · Powers to Preserve and Maintain Public Order
36. Direction to move on
Feedback & supportSubject to this section, a police officer of or above the rank of sergeant may give to a person or group of persons whose behaviour is of a kind mentioned in section 35 any written direction that is reasonable in the circumstances.
A police officer must not give a direction under subsection (1) that interferes with a person’s right of peaceful assembly unless it is reasonably necessary in the interests of —
assembly
“assembly” means a gathering or meeting (whether or not comprising any lecture, talk, address, debate or discussion) of persons the purpose (or one of the purposes) of which is —(a)to demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person, group of persons or any government;(b)to publicise a cause or campaign; or(c)to mark or commemorate any event,and includes a demonstration by a person alone for any purpose mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c);
public safety;
public order; or
the protection of the rights and freedoms of other persons.
The rights and freedoms mentioned in subsection (2)(c) includes a reference to the rights and freedoms of the public to enjoy the place and the rights of persons to carry on lawful business in or in association with the place.
place
“place” includes any motor vehicle, train, vessel, aircraft or other conveyance;
Without limiting subsection (1), a direction may require a person to do one of the following:
leave the regulated place and not return or be within the regulated place within a stated reasonable time of not more than 24 hours;
leave a stated part of the regulated place and not return or be within the stated part of the regulated place within a stated reasonable time of not more than 24 hours;
move from a particular location at or near the regulated place for a stated reasonable distance, in a stated direction, and not return or be within the stated distance from the place within a stated reasonable time of not more than 24 hours.