“Stop labelling campaigners as extremists” – 600+ sign open letter
More than 600 people have signed an open letter to senior police officers calling for an end to the categorisation of political campaigning as “domestic extremism”.
Comments sought on protest policing guidance
A long-awaited consultation is underway on new guidance for policing protests.
Updated: Report corrected after falsely accusing anti-fracking campaigners of “grooming” 14-year-old boy
Update 29/8/2018: See section headed Swapping fracking at the bottom of this post. A report published today on social cohesion in Greater Manchester has been rewritten this evening after it emerged that a case study falsely accused anti-fracking activists of “grooming” a 14-year-old boy.
Netpol claims victory in challenge over police information on anti-fracking campaigners
A tribunal has ruled today that police cannot use “national security” as a reason for refusing to release information about fracking opponents referred to a counter-terrorism programme.
Senior officers to consult public on anti-fracking protest policing
The police monitoring group, Netpol, is claiming victory after senior officers agreed to a consultation on changes to guidance on policing anti-fracking protests.
UKOG seeks injunction to ban protests that aim to damage its business
The exploration company, UK Oil and Gas, has applied for a wide-reaching injunction against anti-drilling protests at sites in West Sussex and Surrey.
Police and campaigners respond to criticism of anti-fracking protest policing
Anti-fracking campaigners have called on police to protect their civil right to protest. They were responding to a report published this morning alleging “confrontational and “aggressive” policing. Two police forces in fracking protest areas said they have a duty to balance the right to protest with rights […]
Calls for independent review of “confrontational” policing at anti-fracking protests
Large numbers of police are using aggressive tactics to make it hard for people to protest against fracking, according to a report published today.
Fund launched to support legal advice for anti-fracking groups
The police monitoring network, Netpol, has launched an initiative to fund legal advice for anti-fracking groups facing civil action.
Force used at fracking site protests 165 times in 19 days – Lancashire Police
Police officers used force at protests over Cuadrilla’s Preston New Road shale gas site nearly nine times a day on average in the first half of July, according to data from Lancashire Constabulary.
