Answers demanded over tree protests
POLICE:
Former Sheffield Council leader Lord Scriven has written to the chief constable of South Yorkshire Police over the policing of the city’s tree felling programme.
He demands an explanation for “the use of such a large public resource” after 33 officers descended on a suburban street.
FORMER SHEFFIELD Council leader Lord Scriven has written to the chief constable of South Yorkshire Police to raise his concerns over the policing of the city’s tree felling programme.
A letter, shared exclusively with The Yorkshire Post yesterday, demands an explanation for “the use of such a large public resource and the reason for such policing” after 33 officers descended on a suburban street along with 20 private security staff.
It goes on to raise a number of key questions, including the use of surveillance, before voicing concern that people might conclude the force has “lost any sense of perspective” in dealing with the increasingly bitter dispute.
Lord Scriven, who led the council between 2008 and 2011, also warned Chief Constable Stephen Watson that his force risked adding tree-felling to the “sorry list” of historical issues which have damaged public confidence over the years, including Hillsborough, Orgreave and Rotherham.
On Monday, one man was arrested, a woman injured and numerous people reported to court for summons as dozens of police officers and private security staff were deployed to the latest standoff over the ongoing tree felling.
The incidents in Abbeydale Park Rise in Dore came two weeks after South Yorkshire Police announced there would be an increased presence at felling sites following earlier “disorder and violence” when protesters clashed with security staff employed by council contractor Amey.
Amey wishes to remove 6,000 trees from the city’s streets and replace them with saplings as part of highways maintenance, but campaigners argue much of the felling work is unnecessary.
In his letter, Lord Scriven wrote: “The last few months have seen a very worrying and escalating use of police at the felling of trees in Sheffield. It was evidenced [on Monday] by the use of 33 police officers alongside 20 SIA private security officers.”
He said he was of the view that Mr Watson must be held to account and publicly explain “the use of such a large public resource and the reason for such policing”.
The Liberal Democrat politician added: “Policing should be by consent and carry the community with it. I am at a loss of how this is the case in Sheffield at the moment, with tree felling.”
His questioning of police strategy comes on top of calls from South Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner for a political resolution to be found.
Dr Alan Billings said the decision by Sheffield City Council to take out an injunction against the protesters had “raised the temperature”, but it was the “overstretched” police force left with the task of maintaining order while allowing peaceful protests.
South Yorkshire Police was invited to comment on the letter but had not responded last night.