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Kettled in Brighton One does not expect to get off a train and be held in a police kettle in Brighton. But that is what happened midday today.

inside the kettle

Easter bunnies against Fascists

EDL





Before I knew it, I was held in a police kettle.



We can not let you leave, you are part of an assembly. No I am not, I said, I am walking down road, or at least I was until I was held against my will on the street.



The officer pointed to the pink slip in my hand which I had been handed moments before as justification for my being detained. The pink slip informed me off my legal rights. Thus having a pink slip informing me of my legal rights if held on the street is justification for holding me on the street! If this is political policing I do not know what is.



To be fair to the police, they were not heavy handed or aggressive, and they did have a problem of keeping apart two opposing demonstrations, and they did say once the other lot moved off, I could leave.



I was asked if I was press. Had I said yes, maybe I would have been allowed to leave, but I was honest and said no.



It was then announced everyone was being escorted to Victoria Gardens. Not having any wish to be escorted to Victoria Gardens, not even knowing where it was, I again tried to leave. This time I was stopped by a young inexperienced officer who did not appear to have two brain cells to rub together. He refused to let me leave on the grounds I should have left earlier!



I would have raised the matter with whoever was the senior officer in charge, but I spied a gap in the police lines, and so quickly exited.



About an hour later I encountered the opposing demo, a bunch of moronic chanting thugs.



I thought kettles were now illegal and could only be used in extreme circumstances. This clearly has not filtered down to the Boys in Blue in Brighton.



I got off the midday train at from Victoria. Something was up. Police everywhere.Before I knew it, I was held in a police kettle.We can not let you leave, you are part of an assembly. No I am not, I said, I am walking down road, or at least I was until I was held against my will on the street.The officer pointed to the pink slip in my hand which I had been handed moments before as justification for my being detained. The pink slip informed me off my legal rights. Thus having a pink slip informing me of my legal rights if held on the street is justification for holding me on the street! If this is political policing I do not know what is.To be fair to the police, they were not heavy handed or aggressive, and they did have a problem of keeping apart two opposing demonstrations, and they did say once the other lot moved off, I could leave.I was asked if I was press. Had I said yes, maybe I would have been allowed to leave, but I was honest and said no.It was then announced everyone was being escorted to Victoria Gardens. Not having any wish to be escorted to Victoria Gardens, not even knowing where it was, I again tried to leave. This time I was stopped by a young inexperienced officer who did not appear to have two brain cells to rub together. He refused to let me leave on the grounds I should have left earlier!I would have raised the matter with whoever was the senior officer in charge, but I spied a gap in the police lines, and so quickly exited.About an hour later I encountered the opposing demo, a bunch of moronic chanting thugs.I thought kettles were now illegal and could only be used in extreme circumstances. This clearly has not filtered down to the Boys in Blue in Brighton. Keith Parkins

