Police at Eurovision ‘respect right to peaceful protest’

Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies, the force’s tactical commander for Eurovision 2023, said hosting the event on behalf of Ukraine meant there were extra considerations.

Signage promoting the Eurovision Song Contest near The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA)

Police will “respect the right to peaceful protest” at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the tactical commander for the event has said.

Merseyside Police is preparing for its largest operation in decades as tens of thousands of music fans descend on the city for this year’s competition, which is being hosted on behalf of Ukraine and culminates with the final on Saturday.