Planning for G20 protests ‘inadequate’

A report by the police watchdog criticises the Metropolitan Police’s planning for the London G20 protests in April, in which a bystander was shoved by officers and later died.

The report by the chief inspector of police into the handling of the G20 protesters questions many of the tactics used to contain them.

Baton shields and kettling are to be reviewed. The new head of ACPO has told Channel 4 News there has to be a balance between security needs and the fundamental human right to protest.

It was a seminal moment in British policing: the controversial containment of protesters at the G20 demonstrations in London, in which a bystander was shoved by officers and later died.

Now the police watchdog has criticised those tactics and officers’ training. The police were accused of failing to allow peaceful protest, while their containment tactics – known as “kettling” – needed to change.

A review was also needed into the use of batons and riot shields. The Metropolitan Police said it would be looking at officers’ training.

Jon Snow spoke to the incoming president of the Association of Chief Police Officers, Sir Hugh Orde and asked him if the police had got the balance wrong at the G20, between the needs of law and order, and the right to protest.