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'No brutality' at Barton Moss anti-fracking protests, probe finds | 'No brutality' at Barton Moss anti-fracking protests, probe finds |
(35 minutes later) | |
No evidence has been found of police brutality towards anti-fracking demonstrators in Salford, an independent report has found. | No evidence has been found of police brutality towards anti-fracking demonstrators in Salford, an independent report has found. |
Protests began at Barton Moss last November when energy company IGas started test-drilling for shale gas. | |
A probe was set up following a number of clashes between protesters and Greater Manchester Police (GMP). | A probe was set up following a number of clashes between protesters and Greater Manchester Police (GMP). |
GMP has also been told the government will not pick up the £1.7m bill for policing the protests. | |
'Not substantiated' | 'Not substantiated' |
A panel was set up by Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd to look into how the force handled the operation. | |
The report 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". | |
Panel chairman Martin Miller said it was a "complex and difficult operation" which "saw officers subjected to daily abuse as they carried out their job". | Panel chairman Martin Miller said it was a "complex and difficult operation" which "saw officers subjected to daily abuse as they carried out their job". |
He said: "We also found that some protesters were shoved and felt they were treated badly although I want to stress that allegations of police brutality have not been substantiated." | He said: "We also found that some protesters were shoved and felt they were treated badly although I want to stress that allegations of police brutality have not been substantiated." |
He added many things were "done right" by GMP but the panel found that many of the issues could have been "mitigated or resolved by better pre-planning" and "more constructive communications and engagement" with protesters. | He added many things were "done right" by GMP but the panel found that many of the issues could have been "mitigated or resolved by better pre-planning" and "more constructive communications and engagement" with protesters. |
Mr Miller said he would work with the force to make sure recommendations are put into practice. | Mr Miller said he would work with the force to make sure recommendations are put into practice. |
Chief Constable of GMP Sir Peter Fahy said he welcomes and accepts the report's recommendations but said legislation around dealing with protesters needs to be clearer. | Chief Constable of GMP Sir Peter Fahy said he welcomes and accepts the report's recommendations but said legislation around dealing with protesters needs to be clearer. |
'Patrolling communities' | 'Patrolling communities' |
About 60 anti-fracking protesters set up a camp close to the IGas site near the M62 and Barton Aerodrome last November. | About 60 anti-fracking protesters set up a camp close to the IGas site near the M62 and Barton Aerodrome last November. |
Frack Free Greater Manchester welcomed the report but said some "important questions remained unanswered". | Frack Free Greater Manchester welcomed the report but said some "important questions remained unanswered". |
They included a police claim that protesters fired a flare at the force helicopter which the group said should be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. | They included a police claim that protesters fired a flare at the force helicopter which the group said should be referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. |
Martin Porter said it was a "peaceful protest" and no evidence been produced in relation to the "Flaregate" incident. | Martin Porter said it was a "peaceful protest" and no evidence been produced in relation to the "Flaregate" incident. |
He said: "For [GMP] to claim that these peaceful protesters launched a terrorist attack is totally unacceptable. If this story was made up to discredit peaceful protesters and justify repressive policing, then there must be consequences." | He said: "For [GMP] to claim that these peaceful protesters launched a terrorist attack is totally unacceptable. If this story was made up to discredit peaceful protesters and justify repressive policing, then there must be consequences." |
Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, had expressed concerns over the number of officers policing the Barton Moss protests instead of "patrolling in our local communities". | Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsley and Eccles South, had expressed concerns over the number of officers policing the Barton Moss protests instead of "patrolling in our local communities". |
GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy also revealed the cost of policing the Barton Moss protests was £1.7m. | GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy also revealed the cost of policing the Barton Moss protests was £1.7m. |
He also said there was "considerable frustration" in the force with current legislation on obstruction which he described as weak and which put officers in a "very difficult position". | He also said there was "considerable frustration" in the force with current legislation on obstruction which he described as weak and which put officers in a "very difficult position". |
In January, GMP asked the government to meet the costs but the Home Secretary has since refused, it emerged. | In January, GMP asked the government to meet the costs but the Home Secretary has since refused, it emerged. |
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle said it was "disgraceful the people of Greater Manchester are expected to carry the burden of the cost". | Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle said it was "disgraceful the people of Greater Manchester are expected to carry the burden of the cost". |
Fracking involves pumping a mixture of water and chemicals into shale rock at high pressure to extract gas and oil. | Fracking involves pumping a mixture of water and chemicals into shale rock at high pressure to extract gas and oil. |
The firm said gas was found in shale rock during test-drilling at the Barton Moss site. | The firm said gas was found in shale rock during test-drilling at the Barton Moss site. |
Exploratory drilling stopped in March while samples are analysed. | Exploratory drilling stopped in March while samples are analysed. |