Police defend response to ‘Kill the Bill’ protesters
OFFICERS ACCUSED OF BEING ‘HEAVY HANDED’ AS TRAM LINE BLOCKED
GREATER Manchester Police have defended their response to a protest against new government legislation which saw 18 people arrested.
The force were criticised by some as being ‘heavy handed’ as tactical aid officers moved in on a small group of protestors who were blocking the tram tracks at St Peter’s Square.
A ‘Kill the Bill’ rally, protesting against the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill had taken place earlier in the afternoon on Saturday.
Footage shows the moment a line of tactical aid officers walked towards, then through the group of demonstrators who were sat on the tram tracks.
Some people stood up and walked away, but others were forcibly removed by officers, as trams appeared to move in to cover the areas where they were sat.
A number of people were led or carried away by police, and officers were shown to kick away signs and placards along the ground.
A total of 18 people were arrested 11 men and seven women between the ages of 17 and 27. Six fines were also issued.
Police defended their decision to break up the protesters and their response has been backed by both the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and deputy mayor, Bev Hughes.
“GMP had to manage a challenging situation carefully and we did not see a repeat of scenes seen in other parts of the country recently,” they said in a statement.
It comes after protests in Bristol on Friday became involved in violent clashes with police after a similar ‘Kill the Bill’ protest.
Saturday’s protest against the new policing bill, began at St Peter’s Square and had remained ‘largely peaceful’ and ‘contained’ according to GMP.
Naheela Ashraf, co-chair of Stand up to Racism Manchester, said the atmosphere had been ‘fantastic’ and confirmed many protesters were wearing masks and that social distancing was maintained. Around 150 demonstrators marched through to Piccadilly Gardens, before arriving at Stevenson Square. As they walked chants of ‘kill the bill’ and ‘our streets’ could be heard.
The group returned to St Peter’s Square by late afternoon, with the protest having passed without any trouble or police intervention.
As the majority of protesters began to disperse, a very small group of people made their way on to the tram tracks. GMP said the group were repeatedly asked to move by officers, and partners from TfGM, but some failed to comply with this order.
Ms Ashraf, and others attending the protest, including a legal observer said they believed the police’s response was ‘intimidating’ and ‘unnecessary.’
She said: “It was brutal. Their behaviour was absolutely brutal. I think it is a shame that the police have just demonstrated why we need to fight against the bill.”
A GMP spokesperson said: “In all events, we have used the four Es approach, with a particular emphasis on engagement, to work our way through the challenges presented to us.
“Where this has been exhausted without success, we have moved to enforcement action where necessary. We continually prioritise the assessment of risk, the disruption caused, and importantly the safety of the wider public throughout.”