The Great British Bobby?

Police violence continues in the UK. After the notorious “Tibetan beating” by the Chinese police on Youtube, LJ sent me this link that shows serious brutality against the “New Age” travellers during what became known as the “Battle of Beanfield” in 1985. Police attacked a procession of vehicles by entering the field where a travelling convoy were being contained, methodically smashing windows, beating people on the head with truncheons, and using sledgehammers to damage the interiors of their coaches.

Journalists witnessing the atrocities (some of which were arrested themselves) demanded a government inquiry which never transpired. Some of footage mysteriously “disappeared”, but you can see some of the aggro here.

Following the release of video footage of protests at the recent G20 conference thankfully two police officers have been suspended and there has been further calls for a complete overhaul of policing techniques. About bloody time!

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the “Hillsborough Disaster” in the central England city of Sheffield, where poor crowd control and general incompetence at a football match resulted in the death of 96 innocent football fans. Despite all the evidence collected that pointed to police incompetency, no-one from the police have apologised for their actions. BBC Radio 5 produced this excellent memorial programme this week that documents the pain and hurt of the thousands who were effected by the ordeal. Click here to listen.

The Great British Bobby is a myth.

P.S. I was told that Youtube capitulated in a request from the Chinese government to remove the video which showed the beating of Tibetans by the Chinese police.