Guernsey Police are under pressure to release footage

Pressure is growing on Guernsey Police to release footage of an incident in which a woman claimed she became unconscious when she fell after being pushed by a police officer.

Former Prime Minister Gavin St Pier said he saw no reason why the bodycam footage and video surveillance from the St. Peter Port incident in February should not be shared.

The journalist Dr. Rebecca Tidy has researched the incident and spoken to the woman involved, saying: “The woman wants the footage released to the media.”

Guernsey Police have been contacted and are expected to comment later.

Mr St Pier said the reluctance to release the footage showed a culture of secrecy in the States.

He said: “I was talking more generally about the culture in the public service, which is very defensive. I believe this could be the case again in this case.

“In response to complaints, it actually appears to be the closure of public services. The wagons are made available to the public and this does nothing to increase public trust in the public service.

“The allegation that is being made is serious. “If there is footage, the only way to determine whether the violence was excessive is to release the footage, it’s as simple as that.”

Witnesses who worked in the area told the BBC they were confident police acted appropriately in the incident.

The pollet sign — Deputy Prime Minister Heidi Soulsby is investigating the situation from February. (BBC)

Deputy Prime Minister Heidi Soulsby said she was conducting inquiries to obtain further information about the incident.

She posted on social media: “This is very concerning. I see no reason why the bodycam footage cannot be released.”

Guernsey Chamber of Commerce president Di De Garis agreed with the release of the footage: “This is very worrying. Just an acceptable response from Guernsey Police to address these allegations.”

Mr St Pier has been concerned with transparency within the states of Guernsey in recent years and said last week that the states should be more open with information.

He praised a Freedom of Information Appellate Body decision that required disclosure of legal fees incurred by states to protect a number of police officers.

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