KEITH Taylor, the Green Party’s MEP for the South East, has written to Sussex Police over what he describes as the use of ‘excessive force’ against protesters in Balcombe.
Mr Taylor, who was in Balcombe on Sunday to support the protesters, is particularly concerned over the suspected use of the ‘mandibular angle’ technique to force protesters to comply with their demands. This technique, which involves pressing against a pressure point behind the ear, was used on Friday to clear protesters from an access road which they were peacefully blockading.
In the letter to the Chief Constable of Sussex Police Mr Taylor said:
“Given the peaceful nature of the protest I was concerned to hear reports from both my own staff and others that your officers seemed to be using excessive force against protesters last week.
"Specifically I was concerned to see video and photographic evidence showing officers apparently using pressure point techniques against some protesters who had locked arms on the side road leading to Cuadrilla’s drilling area.
"The officers appear to be using their hands to apply pressure on or near the protesters ears – I believe this is the mandibular angle technique.
"The use of this kind of force seems to me to be excessive given the peaceful nature of the protest and could run the risk of exacerbating tension between protesters and police.”
After sending the letter Mr Taylor said:
“The campaigners in Balcombe are modern day defenders of the land. They are fighting against a company desperate to drill into the countryside and a Government hell-bent on supporting extreme energy.
"The fact that so many ordinary people are willing to take direct action against drilling in their area shows the depth of feeling against shale oil and gas extraction.
"The police shouldn’t resort to excessive force against peaceful protesters who are taking action to defend their communities from extreme energy.”
The letter to the Sussex Chief Constable: http://www.keithtaylormep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Letter-to-Sussex-Police.pdf
Photo Copyright: Tony Kershaw / Rex Features
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