G-20 police tactics flayed for curbing protest rights

Police tactics to deal with thousands of protestors ensured that the G-20 summit was held without major incidents of violence, but the security measures have been condemned as an infringement of the right to demonstrate.

It was billed as an 'unprecedented' security operation costing 7.5 million pounds, led by the Metropolitan Police and involving personnel from five other forces. There were over 100 arrests as the focus of protestors' anger switched from recession and climate change to the police.

Besides, the potential of violence during protests, security officials also factored in the threat of terrorist attack when some of the most protected world leaders had gathered in London.

Barring scuffles and storming of a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland on Wednesday, there were no major disturbances on the streets of London. One person died on Wednesday, but it has now been revealed that he was not a protestor.

He has been identified as Ian Tomlinson, 47, who was returning from work.

Eyewitnesses said hundreds of environmental demonstrators camping out along Bishopsgate in a peaceful protest during the day were cleared from the area aggressively by riot police with batons and dogs on Wednesday.

Outside the Bank of England, thousands were held for upto eight hours behind a police cordon, in a practice known as "kettling". Parents with children and passers-by were told by officers on the cordon that "no one could leave".

According to witnesses, when they were finally allowed to go, they were ordered to provide names and addresses and have their pictures taken. If they refused, they were sent back behind the cordon.

John O'Connor, a former police officer, said: "They are using this more and more. Instead of sending snatch squads in to remove those in the crowd who are committing criminal offences, they contain everyone for hours. It is a retrograde step it is an infringement of civil liberties."

However, senior police defended their actions, saying they were dealing with a small minority bent on violence, while allowing the demonstrations to go ahead.