The student demo - the police's perspective
Post categories: 5 live blog, Chris Mason, politics
|18:42 UK time, Wednesday, 9 November 2011
At demonstrations, we always hear from the demonstrators. Of course we do, it'd be odd if we didn't. But covering the riots in London over the summer, and the student demonstrations of the last year, I have been struck by the challenges the police face. And more than once they've been criticised for being outnumbered and outwitted.
So this time I asked if I could shadow them for the day. It was an insight into the multidimensional game of chess they play, on the streets, during a big event where there could be trouble.
How many officers should be deployed? Is it counterproductive to be perceived to have too many? At what point should roads be closed - causing gridlock? At what point should demonstrators be arrested? Is it better to be seen to be no nonsense and aggressive, or friendly? Is it wise to say in advance that if things get violent rubber bullets could be used?
Today the Metropolitan Police handed out a leaflet to anyone seen mingling near the start of the protest outside the University of London Union. "Welcome to London" it said, the text on the front cover almost adopting the kind of tone you might expect from the tourist board.
But the messages inside were more matter of fact than Madame Tussauds. A paragraph on containment - or "kettling" as it has been dubbed by some. Another on the use of horses.
I spent the day shadowing Superintendent Elaine Van Orden. She was in charge of the policing of Trafalgar Square. Ear piece in, radio on, mobile available. A lot to think about. The protest was meant to just brush past, heading on to the City. But there were multiple contingency plans. The police may have been understaffed and overwhelmed last time. But this time they were determined things would be different.
Around one hundred protestors did break away from the main demonstrations - scattering around Trafalgar Square. Within a minute Whitehall and the Mall were closed. A thin blue line - with accompanying fluorescent jackets - to attempt to ensure no protestors reached parliament, or Buckingham Palace.
Around twenty to thirty campaigners set up pop up tents underneath Nelson's Column. For an hour they were allowed to stay, but then it was time for them to move on, or be arrested. You can watch my live report on their removal from the BBC News Channel.
So why were they arrested, when they were in a public place? They had broken away from the agreed route, and breached the Public Order Act.
Around a dozen campaigners ended up swopping their tent for a police cell, one carried out horizontally by half a dozen officers. By now the two police helicopters, India 98 and India 99, had gone east. Towards the City, towards the rally where the demonstration would end.
Listen to Chris's live report for 5live Drive on his day with the Metropolitan Police here.
Chris Mason is 5live's Political Reporter. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisMasonBBC.
Comment number 1.
At 20:00 9th Nov 2011, Fedster wrote:The Police did a fantastic Job today at this particular protest, and 99% of the time do across the Country as well, i have heard protestors saying that the Police were to blame for previous trouble,what a load of Crap, the Police are damned if they do and damned if they dont. they cant win!!!!
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Comment number 2.
At 21:29 9th Nov 2011, carrie wrote:Chris, I am as usual glad to see your up to date blog.
I did not like hearing reports from the studio that you were "embedded" and I am glad you didn't use the term as it is an insult to where we know the term from recently. I found it interesting and I bet the Police felt glad for once they were given the chance to speak. Actually agree with Fedster again.
Good stuff Chris.
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Comment number 3.
At 11:50 10th Nov 2011, what wrote:Notice that VD is in a London studio. After only a few weeks it seems Salford doesn't apply to everyone all the time.
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Comment number 4.
At 13:24 10th Nov 2011, GingerTompkins wrote:VD in a London studio and making great play of winning yet another award, even though it was John Pienaars idea and baby.It is getting to the stage where 5live is becoming not so much a rolling news service but a vehicle for shameless publicity and self promotion amongst some of its insecure regular presenters.Couldn't stand anymore of this overdone and continuous back slapping so switched off again.
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Comment number 5.
At 19:44 10th Nov 2011, what wrote:Didn't get to hear VD her award Ginger, but expect we'll hear much more about it!
VD will either be off or in London tomorrow (Friday), so predictable. She's got the riots shindig Monday, so will make for a long, long weekend again. At ten to twelve today whe was on her phone and then at five to she was gone - what a pro.
Whilst some have collapsed their whole lives - VD hasn't yet managed a full week of commuting from London to Meeja City, and my guess is she won't. It'll be a job share (on the same wages) facillatating her every whim. No-one with any sense would commute, and my guess is she'll leave in the medium term.
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Comment number 6.
At 08:43 11th Nov 2011, Jackstumps wrote:Unfortunately you increasingly get the impression that Vic is only interested in Vic and the radio show is an irritation that gets in the way of all the other important things she has to do. Also her so say 'clever clogs' idea of having about six people on the line at once is a disaster (Campbell does it as well). Invariably it turns into a shouting match. They have no idea what very poor radio results.
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Comment number 7.
At 10:13 11th Nov 2011, Nigel Smith wrote:Can I please remind you all to keep your comments to the subject of each blog post. The moderators may consider speculation and off-topic comments in breach of the 'house rules'.
@Welcome2theMachine - Victoria is in Salford today.
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Comment number 8.
At 10:42 11th Nov 2011, what wrote:Have to take your word for that as the Live Vid Cam is conveniently :"not available in your area" - west London!
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Comment number 9.
At 11:15 11th Nov 2011, carrie wrote:Not in my area either. Perhaps you can see it if you have a postcode north of Crewe.
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Comment number 10.
At 11:25 11th Nov 2011, Nigel Smith wrote:The live stream is working again now - in all areas ;)
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Comment number 11.
At 21:17 14th Nov 2011, zelda wrote:I went to London today and had a wander around St Pauls. Tent City is exactly what I expect Glastonbury to be like, healing tents, meditation tents, music tents, women only tents. Strangely dressed people with dreadlocks and posters stuck up representing just about every cause known to man. I saw one young man with a homemade sign bearing the legend 'This is a sign'. Didn't know exactly what to think.
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Comment number 12.
At 17:19 15th Nov 2011, Jackstumps wrote:It would be very interesting if some intrepid Five Live reporter were to visit each tent an ask about the benefits these losers are claiming.
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