European court says 'kettling' tactics in 2001 lawful "Kettling" tactics used by the Metropolitan police to contain crowds in 2001 were lawful, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. The controversial method was used during anti-globalisation demonstrations in London on 1 May 2001. Police blocked off Oxford Circus and corralled those inside for seven hours. The court said there had been no violation of Article 5 - the right to liberty and security - of the European Convention on Human Rights. Three people - George Black, a Greek national from Australia; Bronwyn Lowenthal and Peter O'Shea - who had nothing to do with the demonstration, (aye right) took the case to Europe claiming they were "deprived of their liberty". They were joined by Lois Austin, from Basildon, Essex, who had been taking in the protest. The court said: "The police had imposed the cordon to isolate and contain a large crowd in dangerous and volatile conditions. "This had been the least intrusive and most effective means to protect the public from violence. Although the police tried to start dispersing the crowd throughout the afternoon, they had been unable to do so as the danger had persisted." The House of Lords had earlier ruled kettling on that day had been "necessary, proportionate and lawful". Earlier this year, in a separate case, the Met has won its appeal against a High Court ruling over kettling tactics used during G20 demonstrations in 2009. In that case Hannah McClure, a student, and Josh Moos, a campaigner for Plane Stupid, challenged the legality of restraint methods used against them in April 2009 when they were contained by officers in Bishopsgate in the City of London. --------------------------------- Common sense from Europe, makes a nice change.
You mean like the bankers paying themselves huge bonuses while people lose their jobs. Better not protest about it though. That would make you the bad person.
Anyone can find a reason to protest, but there comes a time when if all are allowed to vent their spleen, everything grinds to a standstill. I'm not saying that they didn't have a gripe, but in the end, non protesters have to be protected.
Anyone can find a reason to protest but few do. Most prefer to sit in front of a computer tut tutting at those who do. It's why ****s get away with being ****s and everyone else gets ****ed
I'm not suggesting that they didn't have a serious point to make, but if another innocent is killed or injured, this time by the protesters, it is just as wrong. Sometimes the greater good has to be applied.
Good point. But if the demonstration held no risk to the general public, there would be no reason for kettling.
I got kettled once. At a party. Right over the napper. Thankfully it was neither hot or full of water.
