Theguardian iconTheguardianSep 8, 2026 ~1 min source read

Black-clad mobs and the puzzle of two-tier justice | Letters

Critical infrastructure was blocked, with roads, boats and transport disrupted. Imagine if this had been a masked pro-Palestine protest or an unauthorised environmental action disturbing the flow of traffic, intimidating the public and injuring police officers.

Black-clad mobs and the puzzle of two-tier justice | Letters

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Critical infrastructure was blocked, with roads, boats and transport disrupted.

Imagine if this had been a masked pro-Palestine protest or an unauthorised environmental action disturbing the flow of traffic, intimidating the public and injuring police officers.

So, we have an extraordinary example of "two-tier policing", with the police service being tough on Palestine and climate protesters while going easy on anti-immigrant demonstrations.

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The useful part

Critical infrastructure was blocked, with roads, boats and transport disrupted. Imagine if this had been a masked pro-Palestine protest or an unauthorised environmental action disturbing the flow of traffic, intimidating the public and injuring police officers. So, we have an extraordinary example of "two-tier policing", with the police service being tough on Palestine and climate protesters while going easy on anti-immigrant demonstrations.

Details worth keeping

Police officers were injured and vehicles damaged. Permission for the orchestrated demonstrations was not sought or granted.

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