Emergency Services News
DONATE
No Result
View All Result
  • Police
  • Body-Worn Camera Footage
  • National Crime Agency
  • Police Pursuits
  • Police Dogs In Action
  • Court Results
  • Ambulance
  • Fire Service
  • NHS
  • Assaulted on Duty
  • Must See Videos
  • Guest Blog
  • Hoax Calls
  • Rewards & Discounts
  • About ESN
  • Contact
Emergency Services News
No Result
View All Result

Fire Brigades Union Deletes Tweet That Condemned Met Police Officers

by Emily Smith
15 March 2021
in Firefighting
6 min read
1
Fire Brigades Union Deletes Tweet That Condemned Met Police Officers
123
SHARES
6.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has deleted a tweet that condemned the Metropolitan Police following the events which unfolded on Clapham Common over the weekend. 

‘Reclaim These Streets’ intended to hold a candlelit vigil for Sarah Everard after her body was found in woodland several days after she disappeared. 

Wayne Couzens, a former Civil Nuclear Constabulary officer who transferred to the Met’s Diplomatic Protection Group two years ago, has been charged with Ms Everard’s abduction and murder. 

The Met had spoken to the organisers of the ‘Reclaim The Streets’ vigil and, due to current Covid restrictions that the Government put in place, asked them not to go ahead with the event over their concerns regarding the spread of Covid. 

With a heavy heart, the organisers of the vigil agreed to cancel the event and instead asked supporters to hold a vigil at home in memory of Ms Everard. 

However, hundreds of people still turned up at Clapham Common, where ‘Reclaim These Streets’ had planned for the event to go ahead, despite the official vigil being cancelled. 

After becoming concerned by the number of people – many of who were not wearing masks and who were not social distancing – present at the gathering, Met liaison officers tried to engage with the crowd and asked them to return home. 

Many of them did, but small pockets of attendees defied the lawful requests made by the police, and instead started to hurl abuse at the police and threw objects at them. 

Speaking a few hours after the incident, MPS Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball said:

‘For over six hours, hundreds of people came to lay flowers and pay their respects to Sarah in Clapham Common in a safe and lawful way.

‘At around 6pm, more people began to gather close to the bandstand within the Common. Some started to make speeches from the bandstand. These speeches then attracted more people to gather closer together.

‘At this point, officers on the ground were faced with a very difficult decision. Hundreds of people were packed tightly together, posing a very real risk of easily transmitting Covid-19.

At least one police vehicle was damaged

‘Police must act for people’s safety, this is the only responsible thing to do. The pandemic is not over and gatherings of people from right across London and beyond, are still not safe.

‘Those who gathered were spoken to by officers on a number of occasions and over an extended period of time. We repeatedly encouraged those who were there to comply with the law and leave. 

‘Regrettably, a small minority of people began chanting at officers, pushing and throwing items.

“no justice, no peace, f**k the police” #SarahEverard #Clapham pic.twitter.com/uslk9hUupM

— Almara Abgarian (@almaraabgarian) March 13, 2021

‘After speaking with officers, the vast majority of people quickly left. 

‘Four arrests [were] made for public order offences and for breaches of the Health Protection Regulations’.

During the unrest, one police officer was punched in the face, causing reddening to her cheek. 

One female officer was punched in the face.

At least one police vehicle was damaged as officers tried to break up the remaining groups’ elements, which had become unruly and which were hurling abuse at the police. 

Shortly after the majority of the mainstream media had shared partial video clips of the events, the Fire Brigades Union, which represents many of the rank-and-file firefighters in the UK tweeted:

‘We utterly condemn the violence meted out by the Metropolitan Police last night on Clapham Common. 

‘These grotesque displays have no place in our society. 

‘We send our solidarity to the family and friends of Sarah Everard and all those who want to end violence against women and girls’. 

The tweet had since been deleted. 

Many of the FBU’s own members responded to the tweet with relative disdain.

In a show of solidarity, one firefighter posted an image of a firefighters, police officers and paramedics helmet positioned next to each other. 

Another firefighter added:

‘As an FBU member for over 30 years I was shocked and ashamed of the statement they [the FBU] issued. 

‘I guarantee that would also be the case of vast majority of firefighters. 

‘Stay strong and look after each other’. 

This sentiment was backed up by another firefighter who tweeted:

‘I am not a FBU member but am a serving firefighter & I distance myself from what I regard as ill judged comment. I will defend and support safety of women and all society. 

‘Still hundreds dying from C-19 and police colleagues doing their job. I fully support all my police colleagues. 

Another added:

‘To all police officers please understand the statement from the FBU is not the opinion of Fire Fighters, this is a union claiming that they are talking on behalf of all members. 

‘They do not speak for me. 

‘I for one am proud of the police and support you 100%’. 

The FBU has been contacted for comment. 

If you have the Google News app on your phone, don’t forget to follow ‘Emergency Services News’. 

Got a story? Send your videos and pictures to contact@emergency-services.news You can also find us on Twitter @ES_News_

Before you go...

We need your help. As former emergency services & armed forces personnel, we pride ourselves on bringing you important, fast-moving and breaking news stories & videos which are free from the negative bias which is often directed at the emergency services & NHS by some sections of the mainstream media.

One of the reasons we started 'Emergency Services News' back in 2018 was because we became tired of reading badly informed stories about the emergency services & NHS which seemed only ever to highlight negative aspects of the job.

We want to be the unheard voice of the remarkable men and women who serve in the emergency services, NHS and armed forces. And with around 500k page views each month, we are getting there!

As income from ads, the mainstay source of income for most publishers, continues to decline; we need the help of you, our readers.

You can support emergency services news from as little as £1. It only takes a minute. Every contribution, however big or small, is vital for our future.

Please help us to continue to highlight the life-saving work of the emergency services, NHS and armed forces by becoming a supporter.

SUPPORT EMERGENCY SERVICES NEWS
Share49Tweet31

Related Posts

fire service
Firefighting

Firefighters Hit Out Against Plan To Respond To Calls With ‘Just A Fire Extinguisher’

Firefighters Reveal Details Of Midnight Rescue After Cow Fell Into Swimming Pool
Firefighting

Firefighters Reveal Details Of Midnight Rescue After Cow Fell Into Swimming Pool

WATCH | Ever Wondered Why Firefighters Cut Holes In Roofs?
Firefighting

WATCH | Ever Wondered Why Firefighters Cut Holes In Roofs?

WATCH | Huge UK Fire Aid Convoy Heads For Ukraine
Firefighting

WATCH | Huge UK Fire Aid Convoy Heads For Ukraine

As a video is released today of feral Teenagers attacking Firefighters, we ask: How do we stop the attacks?
Firefighting

UK Firefighters Head To Poland To Deliver Firefighting Equipment For Ukrainian Firefighters

WATCH | Electric Bike Bursts Into Flames After Being Left On Overnight Recharge
Firefighting

WATCH | Electric Bike Bursts Into Flames After Being Left On Overnight Recharge

Load More

Comments 1

  1. Marie Morris says:
    1 year ago

    The police getting bad press yet again, these people should not have even been there. Sounds like all was going well but later in the day a crew of people turned up, just to cause trouble. What are the police supposed to do. That woman on the floor is an unknown actress and a bad one at that.

    Reply

Let us know what you think in the comments below Cancel reply

  • Police
  • Body-Worn Camera Footage
  • National Crime Agency
  • Police Pursuits
  • Police Dogs In Action
  • Court Results
  • Ambulance
  • Fire Service
  • NHS
  • Assaulted on Duty
  • Must See Videos
  • Guest Blog
  • Hoax Calls
  • Rewards & Discounts
  • About ESN
  • Contact
© Emergency Services News
No Result
View All Result
  • Police
  • Body-Worn Camera Footage
  • National Crime Agency
  • Police Pursuits
  • Police Dogs In Action
  • Court Results
  • Ambulance
  • Fire Service
  • NHS
  • Assaulted on Duty
  • Must See Videos
  • Guest Blog
  • Hoax Calls
  • Rewards & Discounts
  • About ESN
  • Contact

 

Loading Comments...