Legal framework and practices of public order management in England and Wales

Public order management is one of the most important areas in policing. Drawing on the legal framework and policy, this study aims to assess practices of criminal justice practitioners, especially, police and prosecutors, in England and Wales.

Using qualitative interviewing, four main themes are identified: (1) an emphasis on a right to protest, (2) police practices on public order management, (3) the development of police/prosecutor liaison, and (4) the value of video evidence. Based upon these findings, several legal, policy and practice implications are drawn. These implications involve a wide range of aspects concerning strategic, operational, and tactical interventions by the police, as well as collaboration between police and prosecutors.

Although the criminal justice context in England and Wales is very different to South Korea, some practices and distinctions can be useful to consider in the Korean context. This study suggests that more gains can be made if legislation, policy, and practice across criminal justice nodes can be coordinated and approached holistically.