VIDEO - Miners’ Strike campaigners demand inquiry into policing at Orgreave

Campaigners calling for an investigation into the actions of police at a mass picket during the 1984-5 miners’ strike held a protest in Wakefield this afternoon.

The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Campaigners are frustrated at the length of time the IPCC is taking to decide if it can launch a full investigation into the actions of South Yorkshire Police at the Orgreave coking plant near Rotherham in June 1984.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Police arrested 95 people at Orgreave, but subsequent court cases against them collapsed.

South Yorkshire Police referred themselves to the IPCC in November 2012.

Barbara Jackson, secretary of the Orgreave campaign, said: “We have come to demonstrate outside the IPCC office in Wakefield to keep the pressure on them about the referral they had 16 months ago from South Yorkshire Police.

“Our firm belief is that they have had plenty of time to gather evidence and it’s now time to make a decision.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Granville Williams, a founder member of the Orgreave campaign, said no police officer had ever been reprimanded for alleged violence during the year-long miners’ strike.

He said: “We want truth and justice and we want to see a full inquiry.”

The IPCC said it was looking at documentation from a range of different sources after asking all police forces to search their archives for material relating to events at Orgreave.

IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: “This is a very complex process, but we do appreciate the frustration and concerns about the time this is taking.

“We remain committed to reaching a decision as soon as we can but want to ensure we have had the opportunity to analyse all relevant documentation.”