Police criticised on handling of anti-capitalist demonstration

London - Bad judgment, a lack of experience among senior officers and poor communication by the City of London Police resulted in an escalation of violence during an anti-capitalist demonstration in June this year, according to an independent review published yesterday, Rachel Donnelly writes. The highly critical review, conducted by retired assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Mr Tony Speed, revealed that some of the operational problems experienced on June 18th could, and should, have been avoided. The review was presented to the City Police Committee and recommends that the City Police and the Met carry out a joint review of public order policing that in effect could raise a question mark over the future independence of the City Police.