We need to talk about police brutality in the UK

Sean Rigg restrained by Metropolitan police officers
Sean Rigg died under restraint by Metropolitan police officers

source: The Fader
published: 29 March 2016

1500 And Counting‘ – The abuse of black British people by police is often overlooked, but a new film is set to break the silence.

On 11 January 2016, Sarah Reed, a vulnerable 32-year-old woman suffering with mental health issues, was found dead in her cell in north London’s Holloway prison, where she was on remand awaiting trial.

Throughout her life, she had been a victim of failings by the British state: in October 2012, she reported being sexually assaulted while being detained under the Mental Health Act, and in November 2012 she was ruthlessly beaten up by a police officer, with the attack caught on camera.

Continue reading

Undercover police officers spy on children, and then demand privacy

Undercover Hidingsource: The Canary
published: 23 March 2016

The Undercover Policing Inquiry, chaired by Lord Justice Pitchford, resumed this week with legal arguments being made by the police which, if implemented, would essentially mean most of the inquiry being held in secret.

Central to their position is a continuation of the policy of neither confirming nor denying (NCND) whether a person was an undercover officer.

However, whilst the lawyers for the police have been arguing that revealing the identities of officers would infringe their Article 8 right to privacy and family life, The Canary can reveal that police officers have been recording details of activists’ young children.

Continue reading

Thomas Orchard: Police custody death trial halted

Thomas Orchard sister 2013
Thomas Orchard’s sister with families at UFFC 2013 demo

all credits: BBC News
published: 21 March 2016

The trial of three police staff accused of killing a man in custody has been halted for legal reasons.

Thomas Orchard, 32, had schizophrenia and died in October 2012 after being arrested in Exeter. Custody sergeant Jan Kingshott, 44, and civilian detention officers Simon Tansley, 38, and Michael Marsden, 55 were on trial for manslaughter.

The judge at Bristol Crown Court told the jury the 11-week trial “cannot continue”.

Mr Orchard suffered a heart attack at Heavitree Road Police Station and died later in hospital.

Continue reading