Security, Policing and Civil Liberties for the G8 Summit 05
These pages are for collecting together info on security, policing and civil liberties for the G8 Summit 05
Related Reports
G8 cordon 'too weak'... reported by The Scotsman - Sun 3rd April
G8 cordon 'too weak' to keep out protesters says consultant with the security firm Stuart Crawford Associates
Re MPH march - "However, a minority of anarchists and anti-capitalist demonstrators are expected to try to disrupt the event."
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=352392005
Police "Secret Riot Training" - reported by Edinburgh Evening News / The Scotsman + The Daily Record - April 2nd 05
- Multi-force riot exercise programme at Law Hospital (dogs, horses, petrol bombs)
- The military are also expected to be involved in training police to cope with protesters
- Soldiers and Royal Marines will be used
- President of Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Chief Constable David Strang, confirmed they had been training in 'public order' since March 21 for the summit.
- "Anarchist group Dissent have threatened to lead thousands of protesters in violent demos."
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=350572005
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=15359010&method=full&siteid=89488&headline=ready-for-the-8-mob-name_page.html
Call to crack down on G8 demo camps (ie Festival of Dissent) - reported by The Scotsman - Sun 20th March
South of Scotland MSP Phil Gallie, the Tory constitutional affairs spokesman, called for police to take action when protesters are being schooled in how to maximise disruption. "The police must keep a very close eye on this Festival of Dissent and other training camps.
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=449&id=299452005
G8 Marches Banned in Derby By Home Secretary + Other Protest Restrictions! - Tuesday 16th March
Section 12 + 13 Public Order Act Imposed + other restrictions inc road closures + tresspasory assemblies
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/306681.html
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/306796.html (pics of banning orders)
Reporting of Derby Protests (police in riot gear / 12 critical mass arrests / mass urveillance etc) and others
NB multiple police forces used in massive operation - aka training for gleneagles
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/306386.html
Bail Restrictions Imposed Banning People Attending G8 Protests - 15th March 05
Two people held in police custody for over 9 hours after arrest and then charged and released on police bail with conditions to remain outside of The City of London and not to attend events taking place in Derby on the 17th March. One journalist had his video camera and footage kept by police. This followed a protest at G8 Environment round table in London
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/306887.html
Activists Being Monitored - Border Controls Considered - John Vine, the Chief Constable of Tayside Police - reported in The Scotsman - Sat 12 Feb 2005
Scottish Human Rights Centre "expressed concern" over possible border measures.
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305178.html
http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=161372005
Scottish Authorities Investigate 'Borrowing' Four (?) Belgian Water Cannon - reported BBC - 11th Feb 05
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305112.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4258439.stm
Use of Plastic Bullets (Baton Rounds) Authorised - reported by The Scotsman - Sat 29 Jan 05
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/01/304588.html
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=110412005
G8 Alternatives Scottish Parliament Petition re Policing + Protests (415 signatures as of 14th Feb 05)
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305102.html
http://www.petitiononline.com/g84peace/petition.html
General information on security
* The security budget is expected to be £150m (Scotland's biggest ever security operation).
* In Feb 05 US security services gave the 'thumbs up' to the venue.
* In June 04 a team of senior Scottish police officers flew out to the Sea Island G8 summit in the US to study the security operation.
* Security experts from the USA have visited Scotland to discuss possible 'terrorist threats'.
* For the week surrounding the summit Gleneagles Hotel will become a ‘sterile zone’ - the area will be 'searched and sealed'.
* Scottish police say they will 'support' legal protest but unlawful disruption will 'be met with the full force of the law'.
* An intelligence structure is in place to try to estimate numbers of protesters and police are reported to believe that estimates of between 10,000 and 20,000 protesters are greatly exaggerated
UPDATE: As of Jan 05 police are briefing between 150,000 - 200,000 people are expected.
Road / rail / airport / venue Closures and Restrictions
* Scottish Parliament, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle will be sealed off with fences / barriers - local road closures in immediate vicinity expected.
* Forth Road Bridge will have security cordon set up.
* Kincardine bridge and the roads to the west of the hotel may be closed.
* Edinburgh airport will be on 'red alert' and guarded by armed police and soldiers with disruption to scheduled incoming flights.
* The A823 which runs past Gleneagles will blocked at both ends.
* The exit off the A9 dual carriageway will be closed for the 3 days of the summit, though police say A9 will remain open.
* Minor roads coming in from the west will be closed.
Policing of nearby cities and towns
* As well as Gleneagles itself, the nearby town of Crieff, where many of the hundreds of support staff accompanying the eight leaders will be accommodated, will be heavily policed, as will Perth, Stirling and Edinburgh.
* Local Road Closures with Roadblocks and Checkpoints Expected
* ID Cards for 500 approx Local Residents in meediate area (newspaper stories Dec 2004)
http://www.enrager.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3502
* Concrete blast barriers and high metal fences across roads.
Gleneagles Hotel
* There is a long perimeter around Gleneagles golf courses to be defended but no high buildings overlooking the site.
* Perimiter Fence may be erected.
* Immediate roads closed to create sterile zone.
* Possibility of missile batteries on Gleneagles golf courses to intercept 'terrorist strikes'.
* An air exclusion zone around the hotel controlled from RAF Leuchars, Fife - pilots who approach the zone will be told that if they enter it they will be shot down.
* From 10 June 2004, any staff taken on by Gleneagles Hotel will not be allowed to work there during the summit.
* Existing employees will have to use a entry system to get through security barriers.
How the G8 are expected to arrive
Leaders and their entourages are expected to arrive on 4 or 5 July either:
* At Edinburgh airport using parts normally sealed off to passengers and then by helicopter to Gleneagles where a landing strip will be set up in the grounds; or
* By flying to RAF Leuchars near St Andrews in Fife and taking a chartered train or helicopter (2 minutes flight) to Gleneagles.
What the police say they expect / fear (according to press reports)
* Protesters to head for a number of towns and cities including Edinburgh where many Financial Institutions and government offices are headquartered
* Chaos in Edinburgh city centre
* "Anarchists" who may try to reach the Hotel to disrupt the summit
Who will be involved
* Elements of the armed forces, armed police, MI5 and the secret services of the G8 countries.
* RAF jets will patrol an air-exclusion zone with others ready to scramble at RAF Leuchars near St Andrews, Fife.
* Around 9,000 police officers - out of 15,000 in Scotland - will be needed for the "ring of steel" around the summit.
* Leave for all 8 Scottish police forces is cancelled for 2 weeks before the summit.
People involved
* John Vine, the Chief Constable of Tayside Police
* Willie Bald, Assistant Chief Constable of Tayside Police - responsible for setting up a dedicated planning team to look at all aspects of policing the summit and other G8 events;
* Fraser White, Tayside police constable - G8 Community Liaison Officer based at the G8 office above the police station in Auchterarder High Street (details of G8 surgeries in the local press)
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