I’ve always had respect for rank and file police officers especially when they have to handle demonstrations for which they might well as individuals have some sympathy.

But a few days ago my respect was seriously tested by a handful of officers who stopped me from filming an anti-fracking protest in Lancashire.

I’d been trying to explain on camera a “lock-on” tube.  It’s a device usually made from a super heavy iron bar which activists use to make themselves as immobile as possible. It makes the job of removing them from a public highway, for example, much harder than it might otherwise be.

No choice

Without warning a group of officers came up behind me, confiscated the device.  I explained politely that I was working for Sky News but they insisted on escorting me on foot to my car (about a mile away) so that they could see my Press pass.  We had no choice but to stop our work.

Arrest

The cameraman I was working with offered to show his pass there and then but the officers refused to accept it.  Two of them from the neighbouring Cumbrian force insisted on seeing mine.  I pointed out that I was obviously working together with the cameraman (they could see we had a satellite vehicle) and surely it was clear to anybody that we there legitimately…but still they insisted.  I was under no doubt that had I refused they would have arrested me.  

The purpose of my report was to show how both demonstrators and the boss of energy firm Cuadrilla were increasingly concerned at the level of violence being used at fracking sites.  Campaigners say police and security guards are becoming increasingly heavy -handed.  Cuadrilla’s chief exec Francis Egan says it’s the demonstrators using violence and intimidation to stop people going about their law abiding work.

I, like the vast majority of journalists, am trying to report as impartially as I can.  So give us a break officers.  I’m just trying to go about my law abiding work.