http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2009/jun/21/fit-watch-kingsnorth-arrests

Well, is it?

Totally unacceptable.

In fact, I think the authorities have a lot to answer for over the way that particular peaceful protest was policed.

It's not far from where I live, although across the Medway from me so it didn't actually affect me. It was quite plain from the reporting during the event the police were very intimidating, stopping and searching even local residents without explanation, and generally throwing their weight around.

Agreed, massively unjustifiable and a lot to answer for.

As I couldnt have the sound on, I will only comment on the visual and justified my arse!!

Watching that has made me very angry.

The question is, what to do with that anger?

That's a pretty shocking video.

Those women deserve a public apology and the officers should be punished some-how.

Perhaps lock them up for four days and see how they like it in prison? Make sure they're given big badges that say "I'm a police officer"

This merely confirms that despite all the [LIFTED] about how policing has "improved" since the 80's they are up to the same old tricks.
The Police, sadly, are the lackeys of the ruling class, and whether it be Grunwick, Greenham Common, the Miners' Strike , Wapping, G20 etc they will beat the crap out of anybody if they think they can get away with it. As was the case with Blair Peach, they usually do.

I am not stereotypically "anti-police", despite what I've written above. In many instances they really do an excellent job under very difficult circumstances. But this is down to leadership, and clearly the word comes down to crush any dissent.
This is particularly ironic in the context at "our" "outrage" at the goings-on in Iran. Of course the repression is far "gentler" here, but its still repression and it undermines our holier than thou stance when dealing with despots.

This particular bit of video did show some pretty over zealous action. We do have to remember that there will be stuff happening off camera, AND that the film has been edited. We don’t know from this footage if there had been any provocation from either side to lead to these events.

It is, on the face of it, a damning indictment of the way the police operate at demos.

The point is that the Police should always rise above any amount of "provocation" that is part of their job. I'm not suggesting they submit to being assaulted, but "provocation" is an inadequate reason for attacking members of the public.

Er.. wasnt the video taken from the Police. So if it has been edited it would of been edited in the Polices favour!!! Therefore it can be concluded that they behaved even worse that they are being portrayed!!!!

Quite. I believe I made that point in the last police thread. They should not be using this level of aggression on people unless it is absolutely necessary.

You're right. This (like so many things) is down to leadership. This behaviour is unacceptable and they need to know that. Who is going to tell them though?

It's now potentially an offence to photograph/film police officers (it never used to be, but S.76 of the Terrorism Act is now in force). Perhaps that's why they were arrested (not that I agree with it).

OTOH the Officer is an idiot and is clearly required to identify himself, if only by number.

When you say potentially, would you care to clarify?

I believe it depends on what the police are up to at the time. If they are doing something “sensitive”, they may decide to feel your collar.