Diane Welcomes Report into G20 Policing
Diane Abbott today welcomed the results of the chief inspector of the constabulary’s report into the policing of the G20 protests in April.
The 68 page report was based on interviews with police officers, analysis of video footage and witness accounts. It concluded that senior police chiefs were unaware of the legal criteria for using the “kettle” technique despite cordoning thousands of protesters off for hours on end. Recommendations in the report include giving police officers human rights training, making it obligatory for officers to wear their ID badges, and medically assessing the impact of tactics used in public order work.
Commenting today Diane said:
“I am pleased that the report into the G20 protests appears to have been conducted in a thorough manner. It has been recognised that many of the techniques used by police are outdated and that we need our police to facilitate protest instead of criminalising it. The chief inspector was rightly critical of the attitude of senior officers towards the protesters. However I am disappointed that a stronger line has not been taken against the “kettle” technique. It is all very well criticising senior officers for being unsure of the legalities. But the problem remains that using the “kettle” technique penalises innocent people and is potentially harmful. I think we need to seriously reconsider how and when the technique is used.”
back ⇢