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Law firm is swamped by 200 claims of police brutality at G20
Kiran Randhawa27.04.09
A London law firm has received more than 200 complaints alleging police brutality at the G20 protests, it emerged today.
Bindmans is preparing a dossier of evidence against the Metropolitan Police after being inundated with claims by people directly wounded by officers or who witnessed extreme violence.
Of these, more than 20 relate to people who suffered head injuries at the hands of the police at the demonstrations.
Rhona Friedman, an associate at the firm, said the number of cases against the Met is likely to increase as it had only just begun gathering statements.
Ms Friedman said the 200 complaints included those who had suffered fractures as a result of police assaults.
She said: "We are gathering evidence of injuries and abuse of police powers, the use of kettling [the tactic used to pen large numbers of people into small, controllable areas] and of force used by officers.
"There are a range of complaints and so far there are upwards of 20 relating to head injuries alone."
Many of them complain they were punched in the face or struck by riot shields and batons.
Some claim they were hit when already on the ground.
One of the complainants is a young woman who went to hospital suffering from concussion after violence broke out near the Bank of England on 1 April.
The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, claims she lost her sight for three minutes, and was suffering from severe headaches a week after being hit in the face by police officers.
She says she underwent a CT scan and was told by doctors her injuries could have been fatal if she had been hit two inches from where she suffered the blow.
At least 10 of the cases in the dossier are believed to involve women.
In one instance two women claim to have been "pinned together" and hit repeatedly on their heads and arms with riots shields.
The dossier raises the prospect of more Met officers facing criminal investigations.
The officer who pushed newspaper vendor Ian Tomlinson before his death has been questioned on suspicion of manslaughter.
Bindmans is also planning to launch a judicial review against kettling. During the G20 protests, the tactic is believed to have led to demonstrators suffering asthma and panic attacks.
John Halford, a partner at Bindmans, said that the firm had spoken to Climate Camp legal advisers to prepare the case.
Mr Halford said that kettling is legally justifiable only when it is the only means available to prevent actual or imminent violence.
He added: "Many protesters have reported unprovoked baton charges and other forms of intimidation while they were penned in.
"We plan to ensure all of this is examined by the courts."
Tony Murphy of Bhatt Murphy solicitors revealed that the firm was also examining the possibility of launching legal action over police tactics during G20 "to challenge this assault on protesters' fundamental freedoms in the courts".
The allegations of yet more police brutality come as the Met announced it will root out the officer who boasted about the "unwashed getting a good kicking" at the protests.
The officer made the comments on the Policeman's Blog website a day after Mr Tomlinson died.
The Met said it will "not tolerate" its employees making inappropriate comments.
The remarks surfaced after PC Rob Ward, 27, wrote on his Facebook page: "Can't wait to bash some long haired hippys up @ the G20."
Reader views (16)
Ummm - can we say "gravy train" anyone?
Or how about, "Hey, we've got a sympathy vote going here, let's milk it for all it's worth"?
- Rogan, Irving
A solution to continued financial hardship...attend the next political demonstration, get in the face of the the police present and make various threats and ignore verbal warnings, then express mock horror at obtaining a slight injury from minimum use of force, then attend your local friendly solicitor who will assist you in fleecing the taxpayer of yet more capital.
- Adam, Redhill
Good luck to all the claimants its just a shame the scum police officers don't have to pay out of their own pockets.
And I notice a lot of guys on here cheering for the police who assaulted innocent women, you should be ashamed of yourselves . Yep thought so, as cowardly as our so called police force, shouldn't they now be called the "big business force" available to oppress, lie, beat anyone or thing that gets in the way of corporate profit. When does Harry get out? Big party that one!!
- James Hanson, London
Most of these 'Human Rights' lawyers are leaches. No doubt this money is coming from Legal Aid aka the taxpayer, it's no different from ambulance chasing.
- H Morgan, London
Law firm in touting for business shocker.....They must love the free advertising!
- Carl, London
Ron,
Are you suggesting police officers be responsible for punishing people who do not do as they say, and that punishment is a belting? Do you work for the Met by any chance, as I am sure you would meet their selection criteria? Please write to Sir Paul Stephenson, New Scotland Yard, London, enclosing a stamp address envelope.
- Rob, London
Whilst some of these claims may be appropraite many will be a case of having a go at the police and getting some cash (public funds) whilst doing so. Whilst the Met lead the operation and deployed the majortity of resources there were other forces involved, notably the City of London and British Transport Police and to a much lesser extent Sussex and Hampshire. Whilst it is likely some of their officers were involved little mention is made of the forces other than the Met.
- Robin, London
Let them prove it....I doubt many of them will and up until then it will be legally aided I suppose. I would get the Law Society look into the firm of solicitors representing them all for providing false information to get legal aid...but I suppose it's no win no FEE!They should all be charged with Violent Disorder.
- Rosie, watford
fly with the crows you get shot with the crows. perhaps the peaceful protestors who saw the thuggery on the part of the protestors should come forward. if the policeman says step back then step back or risked getting a belting. no brainer really. is failing to obey a legitimate police order not an offence?
- Ron Oliver, Edinburgh Scotland
"The aggressive few" protestors can not be used as an excuse for anything goes Police tactics. These legal actions should bring in to check the aggressive many Police officers who went to the protests looking for and equipped for trouble.
The Police are the UPHOLDERS OF THE LAW and as such they can be nothing less than beyond reproach
- Barry, woking, GB
Simple solution.
Disband the police and turn over security to the Paras. Rentamob will be pleading after the first "peaceful" demo for the return of the thugs in the Met.
- Bj, London
Anyone who has been genuinely injured in an unprovoked attack by the police should of course be compensated; however the police have to be allowed use appropriate level of force to ensure the safety of the majority. People who attend such gatherings need to be aware that there will be a minority who are using them as a shield who are intent on causing disruption and criminal damage.
- Mike M, Bedford England
It would be better just to ban these demonstrations,they are turning into a Fiasco,lets bash the police and get a claim in!!!
These demos are a farce, nobody ever listens to knuckle draggers anyway.
- David ,Chertsey, Chertsey UK.
Given Sir Paul Stephenson's statement that officers that behave in an undicsiplined matter or do not wear their shoulder identification should be sacked, I hope that he too is working with Bindman's co-operatively to identify these officers and so honour his words. The collective evidence demnonstating that the Met is in a discipline crisis mounts by the day.
- Rob, London
They said there were as many press photographers as protesters. No doubt the no-win no fee lawyers will swell the numbers next time round.
- Paul, London
I assume most will be no win no pay lawyers - another gravey train. Sadly the aggressive protesters have upped the stakes as they did in the 60s and 70s. A violent few distort and of course they alert the media too. The Tomlinson issue should not distort the real picture.
- Terry, Hennebont France
