Like most normal people I am disturbed by the apparent unprovoked attacks by police officers on members of the public during demonstrations. However, speaking as a former police officer, condemning the individual officers does nothing to identify the root cause of the problem.

Typical of my own riot duties in West Yorkshire, I would report for duty at 6am and, having travelled to some far-off place, we would return after 10pm. Then some cheerful senior officer would tell us to go home, get a good night’s sleep and be back at 6am.

So, short of sleep and being cramped in the back of a van for several hours, you are confronted by a baying mob.

You will face bricks, bottles and, possibly, petrol bombs. You will often see your colleague go down to some brick throwing yob. Even if you get hold of that thug, nothing will happen in court except a slap on the wrist.

So, as for the offending officers caught on camera, there but for the grace of God go I – and every other police officer in the country. The problem will continue until the courts hand out proper sentences to violent thugs who abuse the right of peaceful demonstration and desk-bound senior officers consider the well-being of officers sent on riot control duties.

Stuart Bower
Towers Road, Upper Beeding