Call for review of tactics after 29 PSNI injured in riot

The Police Federation has urged a review of PSNI tactics after rioting in west Belfast left 29 officers injured.
By Philip Bradfield
Published 10th Aug 2020, 17:25 BST
Updated 11th Aug 2020, 09:49 BST
The scene at Distillery Street in west Belfast where trouble happened on Saturday afternoon after PSNI officers moved in with contractors to remove Internment bonfire material. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeThe scene at Distillery Street in west Belfast where trouble happened on Saturday afternoon after PSNI officers moved in with contractors to remove Internment bonfire material. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
The scene at Distillery Street in west Belfast where trouble happened on Saturday afternoon after PSNI officers moved in with contractors to remove Internment bonfire material. Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

Twenty-nine police officers were injured after groups of youths threw petrol bombs, masonry and parts of vehicles in Distillery Street in west Belfast on Saturday.

Officers sustained head, neck and back injuries, as well as concussion.

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The PSNI was protecting contractors asked by a landowner to remove anti-internment bonfire material from their site. Three officers were taken to hospital and were reportedly later discharged.

However Mark Lindsay, chair of the Police Federation, which acts on behalf of rank and file officers, has said today that a review is needed into how the situation was handled.

“There is questions that need to be asked around why police officers were standing toe to toe for so long with people who were intent on severely injuring them with heavy masonry, petrol bombs and basically anything else that came to hand,” he told the BBC.

“We have some of the best public order police officers in the world. There is a very wide range of tactics and I think there is questions to be asked as to why those tactics were not used, either to disperse the crowds, to keep our officers safe, or even to make arrests on the day.”

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There had been reports that one officer had suffered two broken vertebrae, however Mr Lindsay said that this does not now appear to be the case.

DUP Policing Board member Mervyn Storey said he has discussed the matter with the Chief Constable and has asked what actions are going to be taken following the extensive injuries on police officers.

He said that serious questions must be asked about the tactics adopted by the police which “require serious examination when 29 officers lie injured and not a single arrest has been made”.

He added: “There would need to be arrests and hefty sentences following.”

Police confirmed that no arrests have yet been made.

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Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said: “Police attended the Distillery Street area of Belfast on Saturday afternoon in support of contractors who were tasked by the landowner to remove bonfire material. During the operation, officers came under sustained attack from large groups of youths throwing petrol bombs, heavy masonry and other missiles towards police. 29 officers sustained injuries. Three required hospital treatment and several others received medical treatment for a range of injuries including concussion and head, neck and back injuries. All officers have now thankfully been discharged from hospital.

“No arrests have been made to date, however footage from evidence gathering cameras will be reviewed and all efforts will be made to identify those involved in the completely unacceptable violence.

“This disgraceful attack on officers that were simply doing their job and serving the community cannot be tolerated and I would ask anyone with information to come forward to us by phoning 101.

“I would like to thank community representatives and our partners for their ongoing support and we will continue to work with and serve our communities and make progress on these issues.”

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There needs to be a major effort to give severe sentences to those guilty of injuring 29 officers

Twenty-nine officers injured by rioters as bonfire material removed

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