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I cannot comment on public protests, I think we fail (for political reasons) to use policing by consent in that area. I was arrested a few years back though so

I cannot comment on public protests, I think we fail (for political reasons) to use policing by consent in that area. I was arrested a few years back though so I can answer questions about that. Having an expectation of being treated reasonably meant I could have an honest and up-front discussion with them over what happened including admitting to some possible crimes and they could save both their and my time dealing with nonsense. I was treated well throughout the process and annoying as it was to be detained overnight, I can't complain or blame the officers. I'd be happy to assist them in future. I am a Londoner.

vidarh 3y ago
I'm Norwegian, but have lived in London the last 23 years. In Norway, May 1st is more celebration than protest. So imagine my shock walking home my first May 1st in London and encountering the Met kettling protestors with riot units with shields and horses... Norwegian police does not handle demonstrations great either, but I've never seen anything in Norway like the way the Met handles demonstrations unless/until things get violent. At least in London they seem to often presume demonstrations will get nasty ahead of time, but the problem with that is that it's far easier for people to justify e.g. throwing stuff at a police unit in riot gear hiding behind shields and trying to kettle you than regular police units keeping to the sidelines unless/until something happens. Not been arrested, but had a few interactions with police here as a witness or because they had queries, and similar feeling that I wasn't putting myself at risk by being open and honest. Of course, I'm white and live in a relatively middle class area and while that makes less of a difference here than it appears to do in the US, the Met has a pretty poor record in that respect too.
- crimsoneer 3y ago
  It's worth pointing out policing in the UK deploys horses really rather rarely...they're not part of routine protest policing, and will generally only be deployed where disorder is anticipated. Same thing with helmets and shields: they're both the preserve of specialist trained officers who won't be deployed unless they expect to be needed.

vidarh 3y ago

I'm Norwegian, but have lived in London the last 23 years. In Norway, May 1st is more celebration than protest. So imagine my shock walking home my first May 1st in London and encountering the Met kettling protestors with riot units with shields and horses... Norwegian police does not handle demonstrations great either, but I've never seen anything in Norway like the way the Met handles demonstrations unless/until things get violent. At least in London they seem to often presume demonstrations will get nasty ahead of time, but the problem with that is that it's far easier for people to justify e.g. throwing stuff at a police unit in riot gear hiding behind shields and trying to kettle you than regular police units keeping to the sidelines unless/until something happens. Not been arrested, but had a few interactions with police here as a witness or because they had queries, and similar feeling that I wasn't putting myself at risk by being open and honest. Of course, I'm white and live in a relatively middle class area and while that makes less of a difference here than it appears to do in the US, the Met has a pretty poor record in that respect too.

crimsoneer 3y ago
It's worth pointing out policing in the UK deploys horses really rather rarely...they're not part of routine protest policing, and will generally only be deployed where disorder is anticipated. Same thing with helmets and shields: they're both the preserve of specialist trained officers who won't be deployed unless they expect to be needed.