145 complaints over police handling of G20

Published on Thursday 16 April 2009 22:02

ALMOST 150 complaints have been made to a watchdog following angry clashes between police and protesters during the G20 summit.

Some 145 people have come forward to criticise the actions of officers from several forces during two days of demonstrations, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said.

Of the complaints, 70 involve claims of excessive force by people who say they are victims or witnesses to brutality.

About 40 are linked to police tactics, including the controversial technique of corralling people for long periods known as "kettling".

The figures came as a series of fresh allegations emerged by protesters who claimed they were attacked during the protests. Among them are a councillor, an arts student and a pupil at one of London's best known schools for girls.

Officials at the IPCC are examining amateur footage capturing the moment an animal rights activist was slapped across the face and hit with a baton outside the Bank of England on 2 April. Nicky Fisher, 35, of Brighton, East Sussex, said she was hit as she made her way to a vigil for Ian Tomlinson, who died from a heart attack after he clashed with police the previous day.

A constable and a sergeant, from the Metropolitan Police's territorial support group, have been suspended from duty in connection with the incidents.