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 Tuesday, 26 June 2007 |
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Guide to being approached by the police |
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Tuesday, 31 May 2005 |
In the run up to the G8 Summit there will be considerable interest from
the UK government in those mobilizing around it. Some of this will
involve visits to activists by the police, either seeking information
or simply to intimidate. Being prepared for such visits and knowing
ones rights allows us to be empowered to deal with them. The following
article lets you know what your rights are and what you should do if
you get such an unwelcome visit.
For more advice please email the G8
Legal Support Group at g8legalsupport@riseup.net
Dealing with police harassment in the run up to the G8
In the run up to the mobilizations around the G8 summit there will be
increased pressure on people involved in protesting activities both
from the mainstream media and the police. Inevitably this will lead to
individuals and groups being targeted by the state, especially those
who are in publicly visible roles (or made so by the media). A lot of
this attention is not about ‘preventing crime' but about intimidation
and some intelligence gathering. As we get closer to the G8 itself we
anticipate increased focusing on activists from all backgrounds and
involvement. What we are strongly encouraging people is to expect this
and be ready to deal with it. Though we appreciate that coming under
such attention whether at home or on the street is not pleasant (many
of us have already been there), we believe it is vital that people in
this situation should not allow the state to successfully intimidate in
this fashion. By knowing your rights you can easily see off these
attempts. In fact in many cases such visits or approaches actually tell
us how poor police intelligence really is and that these attempts are
more desperation than anything else. The trick is to see through their
basic intimidation to the fact that they actually have very little on
us and it is we who are really in control. It is important to not
become paranoid or overly concerned if you are on the receiving end of
such a visit or approach. Allowing an approach by the police to put you
off your activism is handing the state an easy and unnecessary victory.
Ask yourself:
i) Just why are they doing this?
ii) Are they really giving anything away by letting you know that they
know your name and address?
iii) If they were really watching you would they come out and let you
know directly?
It is our opinion that these visits would seem to indicate that they
don't have very much information or 'intelligence' on those they visit.
In fact they are actually fishing expeditions on their part and you
should not be giving them any sort of information at all, no matter how
innocent it may appear.
Finally, if you do give in to this pressure then you will encourage
them in this tactic of harassment against activists in general. It is
important that we stand up for our rights at all times.
Below is a collection of advice applicable to England and Wales on what
to do and what your rights are if approached by the police.
There have also been instances where police have visited the homes of
activists to offer the "opportunity" to become an informer. The advice
below applies to these visits as to any you receive from them, but for
more see the article at www.freebeagles.org/articles/grass.html
IF YOU RECEIVE A VISIT FROM THE POLICE
If you are visited by the police in connection with anything to do with
the G8, we recommend people to do the following:
* Do not get into conversations of any kind with the police, even if
they appear cordial or friendly with you. You didn't ask them to come
to your door and they are not there to help you. Remember that their
agenda is unlikely to be the same as yours no matter what they say to
the contrary.
* Tell everyone, your friends, fellow activists etc. as
soon as possible afterwards. The aim of these operations is to isolate
and to intimidate. To make you think they are keeping a special eye on
YOU. Do not be intimidated. There is nothing to be scared of. If the
police thought you had broken the law they would simply arrest you, and
take you to the police station, rather than perform a pantomime on your
doorstep for your neighbours;
* Email The G8 Legal Support Group at g8legalsupport@riseup.net with as
many details as you have of what happened: ie. number of officers &
their numbers if possible, what they said to you, if they gave you any
correspondence or made you any 'offers'.
The "Activists Guide to Scots Law" can be downloaded from
www.g8legalsupport.info This site will be updated in the coming weeks
with additional info and advice relating to these matters in Scotland.
YOUR RIGHTS (ENGLAND & WALES)
1. Visited at home
There are a number of options under which the police can enter your
property, however in this situation we will focus only on the situation
where they are arriving to "talk" to you as opposed to arresting you.
In this case, unless they have a warrant, you do not have to admit
them. a. If you see them knock at the door simply don't answer it.
b.
If you do, inadvertently, open the door to them demand to see their
warrant or if you are under arrest. If they do not produce it, close
the door in their face. Avoid answering their questions and cut them
off where they do not answer yours.
c. Remember, they do not have a general right of entry and you do not
have to let them in. You are perfectly entitled to demand that they
leave your premises (including gardens, etc). You are not required to
be polite to them either, though do not swear at them.
d. For a guide on the rights of the police to enter your premises see
http://www.freebeagles.org/articles/Legal_Booklet_4/lb4-7.html
e. Make a note of the time of the visit and the names/number of the
officers involved.
2. Approached on the street
a. Much of the same principles as being visited at home. Unless they
are
(i) arresting you,
(ii) searching you under some law
(iii) seeking
your details to give you a summons for an offence,
(iv) they have
reasonable grounds to suspect you of anti-social behaviour
you do not have to cooperate with them.
Remember, when being searched
you are not always required to give your details. Note as well that the
police will bluff on the law so if you challenge them directly to state
the law they are hassling you under they will back down. Police will
seize on any perceived doubt or weakness so show them that you are
confident in facing them down even if you are nervous on the inside. It
helps to remember that you are struggling for justice, while they are
seeking to protect corrupt governments and destructive corporations. No
matter what they say, they do not have your interests at heart.
b. Contrary to what they say, you are not required to carry ID or show
it to them. Nor are you required to talk to them.
c. We strongly advise that do not engage in conversation with them, but
walk away and seek out a crowded public place or friends. Avoid letting
them isolate you. If necessary make a lot of noise and draw attention
to yourself. If they suggest finding somewhere more private after they
have identified themselves as police, refuse point blank and continue
walking away.
d. If they continue to hassle you, inform them and demand their details
so you can put in a complaint against their behaviour. Tell them
politely that you have nothing to say to them and that they should
leave you alone.
e. Once you have got rid of them, tell people about it, seek support
and inform the G8 Legal Support Group. Keep in mind what we have said
above about why they do this and not letting yourself be put off or
intimidated by it.
f. For more detailed information on your rights and what you can do see
http://www.freebeagles.org/articles/Legal_Booklet_4/lb4-contents.html,
especially sections 2 and 6.
We appreciate that these encounters are not particularly pleasant, but
you can turn them on the head to have a laugh at them. If we treat them
right then they can actually empower us. If you are feeling shaken by
this event, consider talking to sympathetic activist friends or
contacting the Activist Trauma group - see www.activist-trauma.net
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to get in
contact with us.
G8 Legal Support Group
www.g8legalsupport.info
g8legalsupport@riseup.net |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 11 June 2005 )
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