Held protesters 'to file complaint'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Val Swain and Emily Apple believe they were arrested at a demonstration at Kingsnorth Power Station in Kent in August last year for being part of Fit Watch, a protest group opposed to police forward intelligence teams (Fits).

The pair are taking their claim to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) complete with film footage of their arrests, which has been obtained by the Guardian.

Ms Swain, 43, from Cardiff, was arrested for assault and obstruction while Ms Apple, 33, from Cornwall, was arrested for obstruction and they were held in custody for four days, according to the paper.

The film footage is said to show that the pair were singled out by police surveillance officers as soon as they arrived at the demonstration and were referred to by officers as the "Blues Brothers".

It also apparently reveals that at least four of the officers were not displaying their badge numbers and recorded Ms Apple asking one of the officers to reveal his badge number and his subsequent refusal.

Ms Swain claims she then went to take a photo of them with her own camera but was wrestled to the ground and pinned down, along with Ms Apple.

The charges against them were later dropped but the women believe their own attempts to monitor police meant that they were targeted at the protest.

Ms Swain told the Guardian: "I am quite shocked that someone can end up in prison for simply taking a photograph."