UCU comment on police response to University of Warwick protests
4 December 2014
On Wednesday afternoon, a group of students were demonstrating in the lobby of Senate House on the Coventry campus of the University of Warwick. The police were called and three people were arrested. They have all since been released on bail.
The police are now investigating claims that officers used disproportionate force after YouTube footage appeared to show the police using CS spray and threatening protesters with a Taser. West Midlands Police said the footage would be examined.
UCU said the right to peaceful protest was a key tenet of any democracy and there needed to be an independent investigation. In a statement the union said the footage indicated a disproportionate level of force was used against protestors and that all students should feel safe on campus.
UCU statement:
'The footage on YouTube indicates a disproportionate level of force was used against protestors, which included tear gas and Tasers. Peaceful protest is a key tenet of any democracy and all students should be safe on campus. We expect there to be a full investigation into the actions of the police and security in this instance.'
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