Unacceptable. It is the only way I can describe the behaviour of police during the G20 protests.



From what I can see this was an ugly and aggressively policed protest of the kind I am more accustomed to seeing in less stable countries. additional video footage here

Another eyewitness, Ashley Parsons, said: "The violence perpetrated against so many around me over that hour was sickening and terrifying.

"Without warning, from around midnight, the police repeatedly and violently surged forwards in full riot gear, occasionally rampaging through the protest line and deliberately destroying protesters' property, some officers openly screaming in pumped-up rage."

Outside the Bank of England, thousands were held for up to eight hours behind a police cordon, in a practice known as "kettling". Parents with children and passers-by were told by officers on the cordon that "no one could leave".

David Howarth, the Liberal Democrat justice spokesman, said: "How did the police end up in a situation where they used the same degree of force on the most peaceful demonstration as they did for a violent protest at the Bank of England? They seem to only have one trick."

A man acting peacefully is effectively murdered by a policeman and the officers of the force appear to have lied about the events. Is it any wonder that police are feared as much by the innocent as by the guilty these days. Perhaps this is the right time to instigate a group with powers equal to the police and set to investigate and "police the police"? I don't just mean the The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) but something a whole lot more pro-active.

Don't think this doesn't happen elsewhere. I am aware of one young man beaten senseless in Margate for daring to challenge an officer with a demand to see a warrant. His children still have nightmares about that event.

For example is it just me that hears (below) "arrested for reading the wrong political literature"?



To be honest I have never had an all good encounter with our local police even when trying to report a crime (often it seems not worth the effort). No I have gone from nervous to terrified.

This does a great dis-service to the honest and good police in this country (I assume we have some). How many frightened people might now "hit back first"? If police are likely to beat you to death for daring to walk near to them how long until someone gets "spooked" and an officer dies?



How exactly does this inspire confidence in police for victims of crimes to come forward.

Can those who lean to wards unpopular religious or political ideologies feel safe near our police because if they can not then no one is ultimately safe.

What are your thoughts about the current state of the police force and it's actions?

Do you trust our local police or fear them?

How has the events of the last few weeks changed your opinion (if at all) of police?