SOCPA 2005 sections 132 to 138 Designated Area restrictions around Parliament Square repealed as of 30th March 2012
The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2011
Provisions coming into force on 19th December 2011
2. The day appointed for the coming into force of the following provisions of the Act is 19th December 2011--
(a)section 141(1) (demonstrations in vicinity of Parliament: repeal of SOCPA 2005 provisions) insofar as it repeals section 137 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005(1);
(b)section 142 (controlled area of Parliament Square);
(c)section 143 (prohibited activities in controlled area of Parliament Square);
(d)section 144 (directions under section 143: further provision);
(e)section 145 (power to seize property);
(f)section 146 (power of court on conviction);
(g)section 147 (authorisation for operation of amplified noise equipment);
(h)section 148 (meaning of "authorised officer" and "responsible authority");
(i)section 149 (effect of Part on byelaws);
(j)section 150(1) and (3) (powers of seizure etc under certain regulations and byelaws);
(k)section 150(2) (powers of seizure etc under certain regulations and byelaws) insofar as it relates to byelaws made by local authorities in England.
Also
Provisions coming into force on 30th March 20123. The day appointed for the coming into force of section 141(1) of the Act insofar as it has not already been brought into force and section 141(2) of the Act is 30th March 2012.
Why is it taking so long to repeal this old law, even after the new Act is on the Statute Book ?
EXPLANATORY NOTE(This note is not part of the Order)
This Commencement Order brings into force sections 142 to 149 and section 150 (except for section 150(2) insofar as it relates to local authorities in Wales) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 on 19th December 2011. It also brings into force the repeal of section 137 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 on 19th December 2011.
The repeal of sections 132 to 136 and 138 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 is brought into force on 30th March 2012 as is the transitional provision in section 141(2) of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act.
So currently, apart from the ban on loudspeakers (SOCPA 2005 section 137) , both the old SOCPA 2005 Designated Area law and the new Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 laws apply !
What is so special about the repeal of just the loudspeaker ban, that it is commenced before the rest of the repeals ?
Why was this not all brought in over one day, as soon as the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 got Royal Assent back in September 2011 ?