CHRISTMAS is a time for messages of peace. Last Saturday, the Metropolitan Police intervened to prevent a major outbreak of disorder, a threat to peace on the streets of London.

Using powers under the Public Order Act, they imposed a section 14 condition designed to prevent serious disruption to the community. Dozens of police officers surrounded about 30 people drawn from members of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities, and some of no faith.

Led by a priest, they had gathered to sing reworded carols that drew attention to Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. Earlier in the day, the police had used the same powers to impose a curfew on another threatening event — PSC’s rally in Whitehall, which was part of a national day of action.