HS2 security guard ‘knelt on protester’s head’

POLICE are investigating claims excessive force was used by security workers at an HS2 site after footage emerged showing a man kneeling on a protester’s head.

The Staffordshire force is looking into the incident, which allegedly happened after carrots were thrown over a worksite fence at Fradley Wood, near Lichfield, on Sunday, November 15.

Police arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of assault and possessing an offensive weapon. He was later cautioned. But the force began a probe into how he was restrained after complaints were made.

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has now written to Staffordshire

Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, a transport minister and the boss of HS2,- to complain, referencing “heavy-handed tactics”.

In response, HS2 said staff had been “repeatedly and excessively targeted by political activists” who had “subjected them to violence”.

Mr Fabricant, an opponent of the high-speed railway between Birmingham and London, said: “I was not a witness to the event, so I cannot judge whether excessive force was used or, indeed, whether any force was necessary at all.

“But several constituents have contacted me about this event and I take their concern seriously.

“I have, therefore, written

to

Gareth Morgan to ask whether there is evidence that HS2 personnel have committed an assault and have also written to Andrew Stephenson MP, the minister at the Department for Transport responsible for HS2, and the managing director of HS2, Mark Thurston. Lawful protest against HS2 is permitted. Heavy-handed tactics by HS2 are not.”

A HS2 spokesman said: “In recent weeks, HS2 has been repeatedly and excessively targeted by political activists who have trespassed on construction sites, endangering themselves, our workers and the general public, subjecting our hardworking employees to violence and anti-social behaviour and placing unnecessary strain on the emergency services during the pandemic.”

A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: “We were called to an incident at around 11.30am on Sunday, November 15 following reports a man had fired pellets at staff working at a site in Fradley.

“Officers attended the location and a 50-year-old man from Wolverhampton was arrested on suspicion of assault and possessing an offensive weapon.

“He has since received a conditional caution. Following the incident, we have been made aware of complaints about how the man was restrained by security staff at the location and we are investigating.”