A petition campaigning for the right to peaceful protest to remain has gained significant traction from residents in Hitchin and Harpenden, as well as across the UK.

The petition 'Do not restrict our rights to peaceful protest' has now accumulated more than 160,000 signatures. At the time of publishing, 640 Hitchin and Harpenden residents have signed the petition, the highest number of any Conservative constituency in the country.

As the petition has surpassed 100,000 signatures, parliament will consider the subject for debate, with a date due to be set in a day's time. A government response to the petition is expected over the weekend.

This comes as Hitchin and Harpenden residents have condemned their MP Bim Afolami this week for voting in favour of what they say are restrictions to peaceful protests.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday, March 16 with 359 ayes and 263 noes.

The vote was catapulted into controversy in light of the policing strategy at the vigil held in Clapham on Saturday in memory of Sarah Everard.

In light of the recent uproar, the bill has been delayed, meaning the Bill Committee won’t now start until May, rather than next week, according to a Labour source.

If you would like to sign the petition, click here.