A independent report on the frack demonstrations earlier this year has found that they was no evidence of police brutality against the protesters but that more robust planning and better engagement with protest groups will help improve public confidence and trust in Greater Manchester Police.
The report, written by the independent panel set up by Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd to examine the policing of protests and demonstrations, was established amid public concerns about policing and other issues around the Barton Moss site and a need for independent scrutiny of related police operations.
Panellists visited the Barton Moss site to see the policing operation first hand, and reviewed social media content, video content, and media coverage. They also spoke to police officers, protesters, local businesses and residents Salford Council, iGas and members of the media.
The panel found that although the majority of people at the site were there to protest peacefully, a small number wanted to antagonise police and cause trouble. This led to all protesters feeling they were treated as criminals because of the actions of a few and resulted in a breakdown of trust between police and protesters.
Claims of police brutality have not been substantiated and specific claims of alleged injuries found to be untrue.
Certain high-profile incidents at the site led to a breakdown in trust between the police and protesters. These included ‘flaregate’ where it was alleged a protester fired a flare at the police helicopter coming in to land at City Airport and the arrest of a member of the camp for alleged drink driving, an incident which was filmed and broadcast online and was later thrown out of court.
Martin Miller who chaired the Independent Panel, said:
“Barton Moss attracted significant public and media attention. It was a complex and difficult operation which created a number of issues, and saw officers subjected to daily abuse as they carried out their job. We also found that some protestors were shoved and felt they were treated badly, although I want to stress that allegations of police brutality have not been substantiated.
“This is not about finger-pointing or blame, it’s about giving constructive, valuable feedback to the police, public bodies and also the protesters involved so that lessons can be learned and the management of future protests can be improved.
“Although there were many things that were done right, we found that many of the issues could have been mitigated or resolved by better pre-planning and more constructive communications and engagement with the protesters and wider public.”
A spokesman for Frack Free Manchester welcomed the report, saying that it correctly identifies the significance of ‘flaregate’; the allegation that protesters deliberately tried to shoot down a Greater Manchester Police helicopter, for which no evidence has been produced, and belives this matter should immediately be referrred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission and supports the call for a full independent inquiry into the policing of the protest.
