Star date: 3rd March 2014 

BARTON MOSS CAMPS OUTSIDE GMP HQ IN NEWTON HEATH

Barton Moss campaigners last night occupied land outside Greater Manchester Police headquarters in Newton Heath in protest at GMP Tactical Aid Unit's `brutality and violence' while policing daily demonstrations at the iGas exploratory drilling site in Salford.

This morning, protectors told the Salford Star that they didn't believe the `heavy mob' should be brought in to police peaceful protest.

Full details here…

After numerous days of heavy handed tactics by Greater Manchester Police Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) - that have seen a 15 year old girl arrested, elderly women pushed around, disabled people injured and campaigners hurt - last night protectors from the Barton Moss Community Protection Camp took their protests directly to the Greater Manchester Police headquarters in Newton Heath, Manchester, where they set up tents on the lawns and pavements outside. This morning they were still there.

Next to their tents is a huge banner stating `GMP are brutal, violent and corrupt' and placards reading `GMP iGAS Private Army'…

"The reason why we are here is because we wanted to bring a message to the police commanders, and particularly to the Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner who has made a statement saying that the policing is proportionate but we don't feel that it is" Mike, an NHS worker from Bury, told the Salford Star.

"There's not really been any violence or anything like that going on, other than from the TAU and I'm asking that the Crime Commissioner should be investigating this a bit more thoroughly rather than just take it from what he's been told by police commanders" he added "Maybe he should go down there and have a look for himself.

"If it is proportionate then how can he justify having the TAU at a peaceful protest?" he asked "And it is a peaceful protest. They've been there for three months now and there's not been any indication of any violence being shown, so it contradicts what the Commissioner is saying. He's saying it's proportionate yet they are bringing down what is generally being regarded as the heavy mob."

Last Friday, Friends of the Earth directors questioned the `heavy handed policing at Barton Moss' on a visit to the Salford site (see here), while Camp solicitor, Simon Pook is reporting, what he called `political policing', to the United Nations as he likened it to the Miners Strike (see here).

There are currently four tents outside the GMP HQ and the police seem in no mood to shift them…  "The police have been very nice" said Mike "I've even been offered a cup of tea..."

* This morning there was more complaints about conduct by the TAU at the Barton Moss iGas exploratory drilling site, when inspectors refused local residents the right to peacefully protest against lorries going down Barton Moss Road, kettling them to one side to allow the lorries free access following a two hour lock on by protectors. For full details - click here

See also previous Salford Star articles...

* Salford residents shock at GMP policing - click here

* Outrage as Salford schoolgirl arrested at Barton Moss - click here