North Yorkshire's Chief Constable reacts to public questions over Police involvement in public events.
Following a High Court ruling relating to the participation of Northumbria Police in a Pride Event in Newcastle, North Yorkshire Police says it has received a number of enquiries from the public seeking reassurance of the stance that the force will adopt in policing events.
A High Court judge has ruled that Northumbria Police acted unlawfully by allowing its officers to take part in a Pride event in Newcastle in 2024. The case was brought by Lindsey Smith, a self-described "gender-critical" lesbian, who argued that the police's participation in the event breached their duty of impartiality.
Uniformed officers marched in the Newcastle Pride in the City event, with some carrying flags with Pride colors alongside police insignia. A police van with the colours of the transgender Pride flag was also present. Smith contended that this meant the officers would have been unable to remain impartial in the event of a dispute between those with similar beliefs to her and transgender rights supporters.
Mr. Justice Linden, in his ruling, stated that the participation of officers went against impartiality rules, as it demonstrated support for the cause of the march. He said that this could give the impression that the police were "taking sides."
The ruling has wider implications for how police forces across the country participate in community events. The National Police Chiefs' Council has said it is working on broader guidance for local forces to help them make decisions about participating in events while maintaining their impartiality.
In response to the public enquiries North Yorkshire's Chief Constable Tim Forber said:
“It is absolutely essential that the police act impartially at all times and are seen to do so by all the communities we serve. Participating in protest activity, or parades that support any ‘cause’ can quite rightly undermine the public’s confidence in that impartiality, especially where there are a range of legitimate views about any particular issue.
“Ahead of any court ruling there was already a visible change in the policing presence at Pride events in North Yorkshire as demonstrated at York Pride in June 2025. I am absolutely clear that the only North Yorkshire Police officers on duty and in uniform at such events will be those actively engaged in policing the event. Of course, any North Yorkshire Police officer who wishes to ‘participate’ in a parade or lawful protest may do so, but they must be off duty and are not permitted to wear their uniform. I do not allow the altering of police uniform or the changing of the livery of police vehicles to show support for any cause.
“The public expect their police force to be focused on keeping them safe; reducing crime; and bringing offenders to justice and North Yorkshire Police is determined to do just that. Over the past year, in York and North Yorkshire, all crime fell by 5.8%; anti-social behaviour by nearly 18%; we arrested 330 more offenders than the previous year; and we now have the highest charge rate of any police force in the country.”
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