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Police attacked me, claims TV journalist
Reporter: KAREN DOHERTY
Date online: 24 May 2010
A SADDLEWORTH journalist claims he was attacked by a police officer while filming a collapsed building where a man was trapped.
Stuart Littleford, editor of Government and Public Sector Journal and a freelance TV journalist, says he was thrown into the side of a fire engine by the officer in Morris Street, Glodwick.
He has complained to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and met with an inspector on Friday, but has decided not to pursue an assault charge.
A 67-year-old plumber was trapped for an hour when the terrace house he was working on collapsed at 2.30pm on Wednesday. He was freed by specialist search-and-rescue fire-fighters and escaped with minor injuries.
Mr Littleford said that a female office at the scene was rude and obnoxious, and told him he could not film. The journalist claimed that her male colleague then repeatedly moved him back, even though he had not attempted to cross any police line.
He allegedly swore at Mr Littleford who added: “He ran at me like a rugby tackle, grabbed me with both hands, lifted me off the ground and was running with me for about 15 ft.
“I only stopped because my head and my camera hit a massive mirror of the fire engine. Everyone was gobsmacked.”
Mr Littleford, a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists, said that he would never attempt to film close-up footage of badly-injured people.
He has uploaded a YouTube video of the incident and lodged a formal complaint. After speaking to the union and reflecting on the incident, it hasn’t changed my opinion about what’s happened,” added Mr Littleford, who has covered incidents for Sky, Granada, BBC and ITN.
“I decided the best route would not be to pursue formal assault charges but have it dealt with locally, which means the inspector can do what he wants regarding the officer.
“There has been a lot of interest in this. I think the reason is because my union has been campaigning for quite a while that when press are reporting incidents they are being harassed.”
A GMP spokesman confirmed that an inspector has been due to speak to Mr Littleford on Friday.
Comments
Whether or not Mr Littleford wishes to pursue a charge is irrelevant. This officer should be charged with assault like any other member of the public would be and face the consequences. We all know however that the Police will simply want to brush the matter under the carpet. Its no wonder the general public's perception of the Police in Oldham is as low as it is when you read stories such as this. .
The useless brigade know so little about journalism that this story comes as little surprise. Most get confused about the human rights act, even though it isn't relevant, and plenty more object to being filmed while in the course of their duties. They have no right to do this, and there have been plenty of memos issued from senior officers not to hinder journalists in the course of their work.
The other problem is a complete inability for the Police to ever admit they are wrong.
One law for one? I wonder? Why has the victim decided not to press charges? Was he 'talked into it'? We may never know.
Have watched the video. The copper does appear to be unneccesarily heavy handed and forceful when he clearly isn't under any sort of threat and there is no issue with any sort of disorder. Shaven headed and tattoos on his arm, he wouldn't look out of place on Yorkshire Street on a weekend!
the current oldham force do seem to be a little heavy handed
and usually they target this at the law abiding ones, i've come across a few in town on nights out.
we'll see what we get this whit friday, they always seem to bring thugs in uniforms on that night. infact last year there was one on horse back who was throwing his weight (and the horses) about.
I've seen the video which I think is inconclusive. It starts at a point which makes me think there is prior unseen footage. Is this selective editing by Mr. Littleford? Is there something he doesn't want us to see? Has anyone else got footage of the alleged incident? All I see is an officer blocking Mr. Littleford's view of the scene. The sound quality is poor so I hear no threats or abuse from anyone.
Road Rocket and The Borg both make excellent points.I have contacted Mr Littleford and urged him to pursue this matter.If Joe Public behaved in such a manner with a policeman you can be sure he would be in the back of a van and on his way to a cell.Maybe Mr Littleford is scared that he would be hindered in his work by the Police if he took the matter further? When the press get hassled in the street for doing their job then we really do live in a Police state operated by Officer Jack-Boot!
Mr.Littleford says he doesn't want to officially complain and will leave it to the local police to sort out. So, why then go and report the story to the Chronicle ?
I am not defending any policeman who uses unwarranted force, but Mr.Littleford would no doubt complain if the police reported THEIR SIDE of a situation to the press without first ascertaining the true facts of the matter.
It seems like to old adage of getting your story in first so the mud will stick irrespective of the truth.
Have Your Say
There is only one side of this story being revealed so there might be more to it. However, if he was assaulted as claimed and doesn't bring an assault charge he is weakening his claim. Thuggish police officers do exist and they should be dismissed if found guilty; by not pursuing the legal route Mr Littleford is either not confident of his claim or jeopardising the public by allowing such an officer to remain in the police service without being brought to justice.
By Road Rocket @ 24/05/2010 12:49:12