(UK) Kettling of G20 protesters by police was illegal, high court rules

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Guardian

The high court has ruled that the Metropolitan police broke the law in the way they "kettled" protesters at the G20 demonstrations in 2009.

In a landmark judgment on Thursday, high court judges found for protesters who had claimed police treated them unfairly. It also criticised the use of force by officers.

In the case, the high court heard that officers used punches to the face, slaps and shields against demonstrators who police chiefs accept had nothing to do with violence. The judgment does not strike down the police tactic of kettling or mass detention, but it will be seen as a rebuff to the Met.

The judgment places limits on the use of kettling. It says: "The police may only take such preventive action as a last resort catering for situations about to descend into violence."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/apr/14/kettling-g20-protesters-police-illegal

[Demeter]

1. Damn Skippy

and they better not try it here, either.

[Overseas]

2. K&R! //nt

[Corruption Winz]

3. So, the most extreme tactics should be used to handle...

only the most extreme circumstances? Who'd have thunk it?

[provis99]

4. what fucking bullshit this travesty of a court is.

The police are guilty, they broke the law, but no one should be punished? Fuck the British courts and their fascist-loving judges.

[sakabatou]

5. So are our courts

Bankers and others drive the economy off a cliff and no one gets prosecuted