University leaders in the UK have reassured campus security officials of their full support in managing pro-Palestine protests, following concerns that US counterparts were disciplined for their handling of similar demonstrations. Internal emails reveal that universities backed security personnel as tensions escalated on campuses.
Reports have emerged of British students facing disciplinary measures and restrictive bail conditions after largely non-violent demonstrations were met with heavy-handed security responses. Critics argue that the tactics used suggest a coordinated effort to suppress student activism.
Internal Emails Reveal Security Lobbying Efforts
A successful lobbying campaign by university security officials was disclosed in an email from Oliver Curran, chair of the Association of University Chief Security Officers (Aucso), a professional body representing security teams at over 140 UK universities.
In the email obtained by Liberty Investigates and shared with The Guardian, Curran described his visit to a security conference in New Orleans, where he learned how US universities managed student encampments. He noted that US campus police chiefs were sometimes suspended or disciplined despite following senior leadership’s instructions.
“One of the first things I did when I returned to the UK was to approach [university vice-chancellors] and ask that they continually provide the UK Aucso members with the support we require,” he wrote. “The responses were extremely reassuring.”
A Universities UK spokesperson disputed the characterization of the meeting with Aucso, stating that security representatives were invited to share insights on managing protests due to their expertise.
Joint UK-US Security Workshops Planned
Curran also revealed that UK campus security teams were planning to conduct joint workshops with US counterparts to prepare for an anticipated second wave of student protests in the new academic year. Following the New Orleans conference, he shared his enthusiasm for implementing “innovative strategies” from the US in the UK.
New data obtained through Freedom of Information requests by Liberty Investigates and Sky News revealed that at least 113 students and staff across 28 UK universities have faced disciplinary investigations related to pro-Palestine protests since October 7. Some institutions received intelligence briefings on student protests from private security firms such as Horus Security Ltd, Mitie Intelligence Hub, and Global Situational Awareness.
Concerns Over Heavy-Handed Policing
The crackdown on student protests has drawn comparisons to events in the US. Among those disciplined after university protests was the police chief at Arizona State University, where over 70 arrests were made when an encampment was dismantled.
Gina Romero, UN special rapporteur for freedom of peaceful assembly, condemned the reports of security lobbying efforts, stating, “It is deeply disturbing to learn that the increasingly hostile environment faced by pro-Palestinian protesters at universities is connected to behind-the-scenes lobbying.”
Kevin Blowe, a coordinator at the Network for Police Monitoring, criticized UK security officials for looking to the US for guidance. “Nobody needs to look to the US for examples of best practices—because there aren’t any,” he remarked.
Security Officials Advised on Protest Monitoring
Further evidence of coordinated surveillance efforts surfaced through internal Aucso discussions. In early May, the organization set up a “protest and assembly special interest group” as campus encampments grew. During an initial meeting, over 80 security officials were advised to use careful wording in protest reports, as they could be subject to Freedom of Information requests.
Following this meeting, Coventry University disclosed a follow-up email from Horus Security Ltd offering daily updates on university protests, including details on group numbers and affiliations.
Aucso denied influencing universities’ use of private intelligence firms, emphasizing that security teams are responsible for ensuring peaceful protests. “Students have the right to protest peacefully while having full confidence that they are safe,” an Aucso spokesperson said.
Universities UK also defended the balance between free speech and security. “Universities work hard to protect and promote free speech while ensuring campus safety. They are also legally obliged to prevent hate speech and racism,” a spokesperson stated.
