Kettling - Ban it - Call for an independent enquiry into Metropolitan Police policing tactics

In various demonstrations in London school-kids & students (and their parents), University lecturers, and other members of the public protested about the plans to double or treble the university tuition fees, plans to delete the Education Maintenance Allowance, and plans to take away 16-19 students transport subsidies.

Instead of letting the demonstrations peacefully pass through the metropolitan Police “kettled” the demonstrators, students and school children. They held them, many in school uniform and some as young as 13, against their will, without access to food, water or toilets, in sub-zero temperatures for over six hours. The injuries sustained by domonstrators, especially on December 9th 2010, the dragging of Jody McIntyre dragged from his wheel chair, and the near fatal head injuries to Alfie Meadows, are the visible evidence of the Metropolitan Police use of "kettling" against ordinary people peacefully protesting.

Thousands of young people, and their parents, never in trouble, used to the Police being friends, are angry at the Metropolitan Police tactics. We want an Independent Public Inquiry into the Metropolitan Police tactics at demonstrations in London, with special emphasis on "Kettling".

John McDonnell (Labour MP) has called for Kettling to be banned.