Drones at Stonehenge

Stonehenge 180

Image by Howburn Digger

jimit May 8, 2009 15:10:35

.....unmanned spy planes at the Solstice that is. Policing is to be "Fair and sensitive" so none of that unpleasantness that we saw at the G20 will happen. Will it?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/07/stonehenge-police-g20-jon-tapper

Jim.

Littlestone May 8, 2009 16:21:34

Replying to jimit

Brian Viziondanz, for the group Infinite Possibility, which supports peaceful protest, said he took the police reassurances with a pinch of salt and added: "There's a shroud coming down on our freedom. There is more and more control over our lives. It's a monster coming into our society."

Yet another example, Jim, of the authorities being completely out of touch with public sentiment. Has it not occurred to those who have sanctioned a 'drone' at Stonehenge that there will be many there at solstice time who will see this as an intrusion of their sacred interpretation of the place.

What next? Drones at every large (perhaps even not so large) gatherings of people?

Jeeze...

goffik May 12, 2009 13:45:40

Replying to jimit

Does seem a bit of an overkill - I don't seem to remember there being any reports of trouble in the last few years to warrant such actions!

Isn't it a little over the top? I mean - how many other places in the UK will have crowds of people celebrating? And how many of those will have NO police presence whatsoever? Or fences?

Ah well - I'll not be there anyway but will be interested, as ever, to hear how it goes. :)

G x

Chance May 12, 2009 22:34:06

Replying to jimit

jimit wrote:

.....unmanned spy planes at the Solstice that is. Policing is to be "Fair and sensitive" so none of that unpleasantness that we saw at the G20 will happen. Will it?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/07/stonehenge-police-g20-jon-tapper

Jim.

I feel it right to draw your attention to details sent to members of British Druid Association less
than a week ago - Update from Stonehenge Roundtable discussions on 7th May 2009

"Wiltshire Police sent one of their Chief Inspectors to explain the policing approach to the members.
It was made clear that the Wiltshire police understand and respect that Summer Solstice is not a ‘protest’ and is a legal assembly for spiritual celebration, and they, like us (British Druid Association) value the progress that has been made in respect of this event.

Talk in the media of lots of mounted Police, and the use of military spy remote operated aircraft have been a complete exaggeration:
There will be three police on horseback, there were two last year, and they proved popular with visitors as well as being mobile and highly visible.

They will be present only in the long track-way between the car park and the temple field.

As for the ‘spy drones’, there will not be two as reported in the media and these are not military specification, in fact there will be one drone, sized about 3 foot cubed it is an electrically powered helicopter that can carry one camera.

An example of why this might be needed was given: Last year a woman went missing and it was feared that she was potentially unconscious after consuming an excess of drugs, but could have been anywhere, after a search they found her unconscious and hidden

The assurances from the Police that they intend to keep the pleasant and effective atmosphere going that exists between them and the public at this event, and that their effort to stop the anti social behaviour is not intended to be heavy handed.

Officers present will be from Wiltshire and identification numbers will be visible.
We (British Druid Association) are asking that the English Heritage employed Security team also wear visible identification, but that is as yet to be confirmed by EH.

Solstice is a peaceful British tradition of which we can all be very proud."

We will have to see what happens next month

Chance

sleeptowin May 13, 2009 14:32:43

Replying to jimit

i might be going this year. ill be on my way back from cornwall on the saturday anyway. so might stop off there.