PSNI's plastic bullet insult

Last week, the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets held its 19th annual vigil in memory of all those killed and injured as a result of the use of plastic and rubber bullets.

The event was attended by members of the families of the victims of plastic bullets, as well as survivors of some of the horrific injuries inflicted. One of those who attends every year is Emma Groves, who was blinded by a rubber bullet in 1971. She is now in her 80s and would never dream of missing the vigil, despite her advanced years.

This year, however, adding insult to injury, the vigil was accompanied for the very first time by a presence of PSNI members. Two Land Rovers parked at each end of the vigil and PSNI members in riot fatigues stood directing traffic. Those on the protest saw this as menacing and an attempt to control and contain their protest. They were also convinced that there were plastic bullet guns in the PSNI vehicles.

The campaign has written to Chief Constable Hugh Orde to protest this unprecedented, as well as insensitive and provocative, interference.

The incident says little for the much heralded, but little practiced, new beginning to policing.