Guernsey Police under pressure to release footage

The alleged incident happened in Guernsey's Lower Pollet

Pressure is growing on Guernsey Police to release footage of an incident where a woman claimed she was knocked unconscious when she fell after being pushed by a police officer.

Deputy Chief Officer Phil Breban said CCTV did not support the claims being made on social media and that it could not be released because of data protection laws.

Former chief minister Gavin St Pier said he could not see any reason why the body cam footage and CCTV of the incident in St Peter Port in February should not be shared.

Journalist Dr Rebecca Tidy researched the incident and has spoken to the woman involved, and said the woman "wants the footage to be released to the media".

In a lengthy statement in response to the allegations, Guernsey Police has pushed back on claims its officer acted inappropriately.

Mr Breban said: "As a service, if there are circumstances we could have handled better, we acknowledge it and learn from it. This incident was not such an example.

"Our officers were trying to deal with an incredibly volatile situation where they were significantly outnumbered, and friends and relatives of someone being arrested were continually seeking to forcibly involve themselves and, in one case, assault officers.

"It is deeply regrettable that the woman who was pushed stumbled and fell, but it does not mean the actions of the officer involved were excessive.

"We would urge members of the public not to interfere with violent and volatile incidents."

Mr St Pier said the reluctance to publish the footage indicated a culture of secrecy within the States.

He said: “I have spoken more generally of the culture within the public service which is very defensive. I believe this may be playing out again in this case.

“It appears in reaction to complaints it effectively involves the public service shutting down. It involves a corralling of the wagons to the public, and that does not help build public confidence in the public service.

“The accusation that is laid out is a serious one. Clearly if there is footage, the only way to clarify whether the force was excessive is to release the footage. It’s as simple as that.”

Witnesses working in the area have told the BBC they believed the police acted appropriately during the incident.

Deputy Chief Minister Heidi Soulsby is looking into the situation from February.

Deputy Chief Minister Heidi Soulsby said she was conducting inquiries to get more information about the incident.

She posted on social media: “This is very concerning. I can see no reason why the body cam footage can’t be released.”

President of Guernsey’s Chamber of Commerce Di De Garis agreed the footage should be released.

She said: “This is very concerning. Only one acceptable response from Guernsey Police [is] to address these accusations.”

For the last few years, Mr St Pier has been looking into transparency within the States of Guernsey and last week said the States should be more forthcoming with information.

He commended a decision by the Freedom of Information Appeals Panel which requested the legal fees incurred by the States when protecting a number of police officers should be revealed.