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Flag-burning could become crime Flag-burning could become crime
(about 1 hour later)
By John Pienaar Chief political correspondent for BBC Radio Five LiveBy John Pienaar Chief political correspondent for BBC Radio Five Live
Cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad sparked global protestsCartoons of the Prophet Muhammad sparked global protests
Police chiefs are urging the government to make flag-burning a new criminal offence, as part of a drive to crack down on Islamic extremists and others preaching violence and religious hate, the BBC has learned.Police chiefs are urging the government to make flag-burning a new criminal offence, as part of a drive to crack down on Islamic extremists and others preaching violence and religious hate, the BBC has learned.
The proposals also include action to ban demonstrators from covering their faces to avoid police scrutiny, and tougher powers to arrest demonstrators seeking to inflame tensions.The proposals also include action to ban demonstrators from covering their faces to avoid police scrutiny, and tougher powers to arrest demonstrators seeking to inflame tensions.
They have been drawn up by Scotland Yard, and submitted to the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, by Britain's most senior muslim police chief, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.They have been drawn up by Scotland Yard, and submitted to the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, by Britain's most senior muslim police chief, Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur.
He is responsible for public order in the capital as commander of central operations.He is responsible for public order in the capital as commander of central operations.
Mr Ghaffur told BBC Radio Five he was concerned Britain had come to be seen at home and abroad as soft on extremist demonstrators.Mr Ghaffur told BBC Radio Five he was concerned Britain had come to be seen at home and abroad as soft on extremist demonstrators.
If they [the public] start to see images of people who seem to be 'getting away with it', that [the tolerance of people] starts to erodeIf they [the public] start to see images of people who seem to be 'getting away with it', that [the tolerance of people] starts to erode
Assistant Commissioner Tarique GhaffurAssistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur
"There appears to be a growing public perception that policing of demonstrations is unduly lenient," he said."There appears to be a growing public perception that policing of demonstrations is unduly lenient," he said.
"That view was shared by law-abiding citizens of all backgrounds."That view was shared by law-abiding citizens of all backgrounds.
"The reason this is a great country is the tolerance of people."The reason this is a great country is the tolerance of people.
"If they start to see images of people who seem to be 'getting away with it', that starts to erode.""If they start to see images of people who seem to be 'getting away with it', that starts to erode."
He said police wanted "a change in the law on the burning of flags - to make that illegal".He said police wanted "a change in the law on the burning of flags - to make that illegal".
Other proposals included a police power, when approving demonstrations and marches, to attach conditions covering banners and making clear demonstrators should not cover their faces.Other proposals included a police power, when approving demonstrations and marches, to attach conditions covering banners and making clear demonstrators should not cover their faces.
He emphasised that it did not include Muslim women wearing the veil.He emphasised that it did not include Muslim women wearing the veil.
Responding to his comments, a Home Office spokeswoman said: "As far as we are aware, the police have found existing powers to cope with public order offences adequate, but ministers will always listen to representations from the police who can contact them with their views."
The BBC's Weekend News programme has been told the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, is preparing a package of announcements.The BBC's Weekend News programme has been told the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, is preparing a package of announcements.
These are being discussed between ministers who will decide how far existing public order and anti-terror laws can be used more actively and consider police calls for changes in the law.These are being discussed between ministers who will decide how far existing public order and anti-terror laws can be used more actively and consider police calls for changes in the law.
The covering of faces could also become illegal on protestsThe covering of faces could also become illegal on protests
"Everything is on the table," said a source close to the Attorney General."Everything is on the table," said a source close to the Attorney General.
"We are hoping to announce a national strategy for dealing with these people in November.""We are hoping to announce a national strategy for dealing with these people in November."
Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur, who has been holding details talks with Lord Goldsmith, warned that senior officers would be ready to take a tougher line in dealing with flag-burners and extremists exploiting demonstrations, whether or not ministers decide on early changes in the law.Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur, who has been holding details talks with Lord Goldsmith, warned that senior officers would be ready to take a tougher line in dealing with flag-burners and extremists exploiting demonstrations, whether or not ministers decide on early changes in the law.
He caused controversy in August when he warned that new anti-terror laws and policing those laws could risk criminalising minority communities.He caused controversy in August when he warned that new anti-terror laws and policing those laws could risk criminalising minority communities.
But he has now insisted the new proposals would command the support of law-abiding Muslims and others, since they are clearly aimed at extremists trying to stir up hatred and deepen divisions.But he has now insisted the new proposals would command the support of law-abiding Muslims and others, since they are clearly aimed at extremists trying to stir up hatred and deepen divisions.
Mr Ghaffur made clear there was no intention to interfere with the right, for example, of Muslim women to wear the veil.Mr Ghaffur made clear there was no intention to interfere with the right, for example, of Muslim women to wear the veil.
The target of police action should be those trying to conceal their identities to frustrate police intelligence gathering and law enforcement.The target of police action should be those trying to conceal their identities to frustrate police intelligence gathering and law enforcement.