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Green PCC candidate calls for independent inquiry into policing of Bristol protests
Work to build trust between police and Bristol’s communities could be undone if there is a switch to “zero-tolerance policing”, warns a campaigner and politician.
Cleo Lake, who is standing as the Green police and crime commissioner (PCC) candidate in Avon and Somerset, is calling for the force’s handling of disturbances on Sunday night and subsequent protest on Tuesday to be subjected to an independent inquiry.
She has welcomed confirmation that an inquiry will be held into the events of Sunday night but has urged police to widen the scope of this to include those who witnessed the riot itself from the other side, as well as officers.
is needed now More than ever
The demonstrations on Sunday and Tuesday were in opposition to the government’s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which – among other things – would give police greater powers to restrict protests, impose tougher penalties and curtail the right to roam that is vital to the way of life for Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities.
Lake argues the protests and subsequent disturbances show why the bill itself will not work.
https://twitter.com/CleoDanceBaton/status/1374624712605720580
“Making something illegal does not make it go away,” says the PCC candidate, who is currently a councillor for Cotham.
“Following Sunday, this second protest was focused on support for Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities with a temporary solidarity camp set up. According to a protest liaison volunteer at College Green on Tuesday, there had been good communication with police, with protesters being told they could stay on College Green and were even offered toilets. However, for whatever reason, this attitude changed and allegedly ended up with police traumatising young women and trampling on the vigil to Sarah Everard.
“Being a frontline police officer is not an easy job and has been even harder since the pandemic began. Avon and Somerset Police have worked hard over many years to gain the trust of Bristol’s communities by prioritising public safety and respecting the right to peaceful protest. I worry that a lot of good work will be undone if there is now a switch to zero-tolerance policing in protest.”
Protesters lying down in front of riot police on Deanery Road on Tuesday night – photo by Martin Booth
Chief constable Andy Marsh has defended tactics used by police on Tuesday night, saying those gathered on College Green were given ample opportunity to move on and that it is the job of police to use “minimal force to bring things to a conclusion”. Protests are currently illegal under coronavirus rules.
But footage of police in full riot gear confronting seated protesters, some of whom were forcibly removed and dragged along the floor, has sparked criticism and questions over the handling of the situation.
Cleo Lake has warned work to build trust between police and Bristol’s communities could be undone if there is a switch to “zero tolerance” policing – photo by @JonCraig_Photos
Lake adds: “I welcome that the police have confirmed that they will be conducting an inquiry into the riots and their policing. I urge them to consider widening the scope of that inquiry to include those who witnessed the riot itself from the other side.
“In my view, this inquiry should be led by someone from outside Avon and Somerset Constabulary and a non-operationally sensitive version of the report should be available to the public.”
Main photo by Phil Riley
Read more: Bristol ‘city leaders group’ have complete confidence in police
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