CROWD CONTROL TECHNIQUES

That this House is concerned at the increased use of the kettle technique by police when managing large protests; notes that the kettle technique involves penning people into a confined area surrounded by riot police; further notes the use of the kettle technique during the recent protests around the G20 Summit; recognises that many innocent protesters are trapped within these pens for hours at a time; believes that preventing people from leaving the kettle, denying people access to food, water and toilet facilities, and using force to keep people in the kettle is wrong; is further concerned that the right to protest peacefully is being curtailed by the use of the kettle technique; and calls on the Government to take steps to protect the right of people to peacefully protest, whatever the outcome of current inquiries into the protests around the G20 Summit.