A West Mercia Police Federation representative says he is thankful his Police Support Unit (PSU) training 'kicked in' as he dealt with rioting last month (August), which threatened to spiral out of control.

 

Sergeant Rob ‘Swoosh’ Seewoosaha was on a period of rest days when he answered an overtime request on Saturday, 3 August to assist a police response to a demonstration in Bristol.

 

Once Rob had made the journey down to the South East, he was instructed by Avon and Somerset Police to join a unit of officers attempting to contain disorder in the city’s Castle Park.

 

“As the riots broke out towards the end of July and continued into August, I remember feeling helpless – there were all those cops out there, risking their safety for the protection of the public, and I hadn’t been required to do that. So, when the opportunity came to support somewhere, I didn’t think twice,” he said.

 

“The group of people and set of beliefs most closely associated with the riots were constantly being fuelled by influential figures online, and that hysteria was turning into real violence and disorder. I felt a responsibility to play my part.”

 

Unlike all incidents in the recent spate of social unrest across the UK, officers were policing a significant presence of both original demonstrators and counter-protestors.

 

This meant the Force’s primary PSU tactic was emphasised on separation and dispersal.

 

Rob continued: “With riots elsewhere in the country, some had only the one group to focus on, who may have been targeting an object like a building, for example. I’m not suggesting this made our job a harder one, but it was a bit of a different challenge.”

And although the formation of a police line between the two groups eventually created 'a sterile environment' before the calm was the storm, revealed Rob.

 

The 49-year-old says he was met with verbal aggression from the moment he assumed his position in the line, particularly from the original set of protestors who outnumbered their opposition.

 

He added that there were moments when police had to push back against this group as they tried to violently advance forward.

 

“Everything you’re told and everything you learn in training – all parts of it kicked in. I assume the same thing happened to the officers around me because everyone, to a person, stepped up incredibly well.

 

“It was very testing stuff – we were face-to-face with extremely angry and hostile people, who were trying to come towards us at times.”

Further on in the day, disorder spilt onto a main road in the city centre, as well as a nearby roundabout.

 

As the late evening approached, daylight was lost, which made matters worse for the police - especially for officers like Rob, who were in an unfamiliar area.

 

The custody sergeant, who was active for 12 hours from 3pm to 3am, was eventually deployed to both of these locations throughout proceedings.

 

“All of the roads leading off from the roundabout were full of police, and that was another point where I braced myself, thinking things could really get out of hand at any moment,” he said.

 

In a welcome departure from his fear and concern, Rob says he was heartened by his interactions with the public as police later held ground on the main road.

 

“People in nearby restaurants were thanking us and asking if we were okay, and that was very nice to experience. We were also able to inform them about the control we were increasingly getting on the situation.

“This was important because the job of PSUs in these circumstances is not only about preserving order, but also about engaging with the public and reassuring them.

 

“The rioting was up there with one of the worst public order offences I have witnessed in my career, but those conversations are a massive testament to society uniting against that senseless and unacceptable violence.”

 

As the Force continues to handle the aftermath of the riots, Rob rounded off by reminding Federation members that every officer will process such distressing experiences differently.

 

“Some may focus more on the positives; some may focus more on the negatives. Some may have physical injuries, and some may be carrying psychological trauma. But we must remember to be kind to ourselves and stick together,” he ended.

 

For wellbeing support, members should contact their local Fed rep.