FOI_25-231 Protest security and students disciplined for protesting

Date of response: 20 August 2025

We have now considered your request of 06 August 2025 for the following information:

Question 1. The total cost incurred by the university on security measures related to pro-Palestine protests and encampments since October 2023, broken down by spending item and dates.

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for total costs incurred for security measures related to pro-Palestine protests and encampments since October 2023.

The University do not record security expenditure separately for events on campus, unless additional resources or security personnel are procured specifically to cover such an event. There were no separate or additional expenditures incurred for any security measures (outside of normal costs for security on campus) during pro-Palestine protests or encampments during the requested period.

Question 2. The total cost incurred by the university on clean-up measures related to pro-Palestine protests and encampments since October 2023, broken down by spending item and dates.

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for total costs incurred for clean-up measures related to pro-Palestine protests and encampments since October 2023.

The University do not record maintenance or cleaning expenditure separately for events on campus, unless additional resources or external cleaning providers are procured. There were no additional expenditures incurred for any clean up measures after protests on campus during the requested period.

Question 3. The total number of students who have faced disciplinary action related to pro-Palestine protests and encampments since October 2023, broken down by outcomes (e.g., cautions, suspensions, expulsion, etc.) and dates.

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not any recorded information for number of students facing disciplinary action related to pro-Palestine protests and encampments broken down by outcomes and dates.

There have been no students disciplined or who have faced disciplinary action in relation to Pro-Palestine protests and encampments since October 2023.

Attending protests or encampments is not cause for a student to face disciplinary action.

Only when a student is suspected of breaching the University’s General Regulations for Students will disciplinary procedures be invoked. Pro-Palestine action, or any protest activity is not a breach of general regulations. A student would only face disciplinary investigation/disciplinary action should they be suspected of breaching General Regulations.