Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why nine young people were denied bail overnight and were photographed against their will when arrested outside South Africa House on 8–9 June.
§ Mr. HurdI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that nine people taking part in a demonstration outside the South African embassy on the evening of 8 June were arrested and charged with offences of obstruction and using threatening words and behaviour. One of those arrested was a juvenile. He was released on bail. The others were detained in custody until their appearance in Bow street magistrates' court the following morning. The demonstration continued overnight, and I understand that the decision to withhold bail was taken in the interests of preventing the commission of public order offences. These cases are at present sub judice.
I also understand from the commissioner that it is normal practice in his force for photographs to be taken of persons arrested for public order offences; photographs are taken with the arresting officers also in the shot to avoid disputes about identity.