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Arrangements for Westminster Rally 23 January 2008

At the meeting of Staff Side PNB on 10/1/08 the following was agreed regarding the march/rally on the 23rd January 2008.

Route:

The route has now been confirmed.

We will assemble between 10 and 11a.m. in Park Lane J/W Achilles Way. The March commencing at approximately 11.30a.m. - the route is as follows:

Move off-----Hyde Park Corner-----Grosvenor Place-----Lower Grosvenor Place-----Bressenden Place-----Victoria Street-----Artillery Row-----Great Peter Street-----Marsham Street-----Horseferry Road-----Millbank with dispersal outside the Tate Gallery.

We estimate the route will take one hour to complete; it will take approximately two hours for the last of the anticipated 15,000 marchers to reach the finishing point in Millbank.

At the conclusion of the march those people with tickets for the Rally at Central Hall, Westminster or the QEII Conference Centre should make their way on the footpath along the embankment to the venues. Others will be encouraged to join the lobby queue and will be directed again to walk along the pavement to St Stephen's Entrance.

Rally/Meeting:

The main rally will be held in Central Hall, Westminster, commencing at 2.30p.m. It will last approximately 1 hour. This will be relayed into other rooms in Central Hall and across at the QEII Conference Centre next door. Both venues will collectively accommodate 3,500 people.

There will be speeches from police service representatives and politicians.

Tickets will be allocated to the venues on a pro-rata basis, based on conference delegate numbers. Entry to the Rallies will be by ticket accompanied by warrant card only.

A creche will be make available should any officer make such a request.

We anticipate everyone will be free to leave at approximately 4.00p.m.

National Police Memorial:

Whilst the march is not able to go past the Memorial, as a mark of respect to our fallen colleagues, at the conclusion of the march a selected group of officers will attend the memorial in order that wreaths can be laid.

Policing and Stewards:

The event will be policed by the MPS Public Order Team who are responsible for public safety and public order.

Approximately 100 Metropolitan Federation stewards will assist the Police to marshal the rally in accordance with the agreed route and plan. They will be ably assisted by stewards from JBB's.

The Metropolitan Stewards will be briefed at Central Hall at 8.30a.m.

Petition:

It is planned that petitions will be handed in at both Marsham Street and Downing Street on the day. Further information on this will be provided at the briefing.

Briefing for Marchers:

Everyone involved in the march will receive their own copy of the briefing paper which will reiterate the arrangements, purpose, behaviour and route.

The Central Committee of the P.F.N.I. will be attending to represent the Federated Ranks of the P.S.N.I. If anyone wishes to attend they should be aware they are responsible for their own travel arrangements, costs and will not be entitled to Duty Credit for this day.

Stevie McCann
Secretary - PFNI