Q616: I am organising an event (charity run, protest etc), do I need to contact the police?

There are certain types of events that require the organiser to notify the police in advance of the event. The requirements are that if a public procession is intended to,

• demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person or body of persons;
• publicise a cause or campaign, or
• mark or commemorate an event

then advance notice must be given unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so. The notice must specify,

• the date when it is intended to hold the procession,
• the time when it is intended to start it,
• its proposed route, and
• the name and address of the person (or one of the persons) proposing to organise it.

It must be delivered at least 6 days before the event.

If the event is not classed as a public procession then it might be still worthwhile contacting your local police station to inform them of the event in any case.