Britain in for 'summer of rage'

Monday, 23 February 2009 11:47 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Police are preparing for a "summer of rage", according to a senior Metropolitan police officer, as the recession deepens and we see more protests about the economic slump.

Superintendent David Hartshorn, head of Scotland Yard's public order branch, told the Guardian newspaper that "known activists" were planning unrest and would see "footsoldiers" join them in the wake of the recession.

This April sees the meeting of the G20 in London, which may be a focal point for angry protests about the failure of world governments to combat the economic downturn.

Supt. Hartshorn said activists were always looking to cause unrest but up to this point they had not had the large numbers of "footsoliders" required for larger-scale disruption.

Supt Hartshorn said: "Obviously the downturn in the economy, unemployment, repossessions, changes that.

"Suddenly there is the opportunity for people to mass protest."

He said that following the public outcry over bank bailouts and bonuses it was likely those banks involved would be seen as "viable targets".

He added: "We've got G20 coming and I think that is being advertised on some of the sites as the highlight of what they see as a 'summer of rage'."

Protests against their government's handling of the recession have already occurred across the continent with large-scale events taking place in France and Greece, as well as massive protests in Iceland forcing a change of government.

More than 100,000 protestors marched in Dublin on Saturday to display their displeasure at the Irish government's handling of the credit crunch.

While Britain has yet to see marching in the streets, there have been significant disruptions caused by wildcat strikes following the row over foreign workers at the Lindsey oil refinery.

Asked about the superintendent's comments the prime minister's spokesman said the Gordon Brown understood public concern over the government's handling of the economy. "He understands people are angry. That's why he is determined to address those concerns," he added.

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