Police Tactics in Riot Situations

The European Court of Human Rights has now ruled that the controversial police tactic of kettling is not a breach of Article 5. This balances the right to safety and security. The case was from the May Day Demonstration of 2001 and centred on the protesters right to liberty. This had been the first major use in the UK of this tactic and protesters were not even allowed to exit the police cordon to go for a pee.The Court held that the encirclement "had been the least intrusive, most effective means to protect the public, both within and outside the cordon, from violence. HS&Co have vast experience of defending suspects alleged to have contravened the Public Order Act 1986. This might be Affray, Violent Disorder or Riot charges. Indeed, we defended those arrested during and following last year's riots.