On 6th September a major incident in and around the Gower Arms caused reason for further concerns about local police activity and tactics.
George Wilson, aged 65, who was sat inside the TV section of the Gower with Levi Ferguson, explains what happened:
“Police officers pursued a man onto the premises but he doubled back through the toilet area, escaped and disappeared from the scene, a little while later a different local man was being arrested further up the road, on suspicion of transporting the original suspect from the scene.We all gathered outside the main door of the pub to see what was happening, and Levi decided, he would go further up and find out what was actually going on.”
Having returned very quickly after approaching the arresting officers, Levi was in some distress, saying he’d had CS gas directly discharged into his face.
“I took Levi back into the pub toilets and helped him wash out the substance from his eyes.And then returned outside, to the main door of the Gower.
“We both then challenged the officer they call Duncan, telling him what had just happened to Levi and that it wasn’t necessary. Duncan said Levi shouldn’t have got involved and that an officer was within their rights to take this action if they’d felt threatened. Levi was coughing and challenged the female officer who he claimed sprayed him in the face for nothing. She then approached, I heard him shout something and that’s when all hell broke loose. Duncan ordered Levi to get back inside the pub.”
But Levi was already being confronted by two male officers. A scuffle commenced, and they all ended up back inside the TV section. George continued:
“By now four officers had Levi on the floor beating him up, that’s when a fifth officer came storming in and into the fight.They were all set on and beating him up. Levi was screaming in pleas for leniency at this time.”
Local drinker David Allen, who actually resides on the premises explained, he was drinking in his usual position at the bar. “I saw Levi being wrestled on the floor by at least four of them,” said David. “Of course they ushered me between the main door and closed the entrance to the bar, where they were doing their stuff. You know, beating him into some form of submission and he was pleading for leniency.” Dave said he could hear what was going on. “It was terrible what they were doing.” George, who was still in the pub, tried to stop what was happening:
“Myself and another gentleman, although frightened and not young any more, decided we’d have to intervene.That’s when officers turned and began spraying us also with CS gas.”
Vernon Solomon, the licensee, wasn’t present at the start of this incident, but arrived during the heat of it. “Inside my pub they had a man on the floor manacled and being roughly manhandled by the officers present. Inside there was around six or seven officers and that horrific smell all over the pub of CS gas, which affected me immediately. I was then asked to vacate my premises while the police inside continued with what they where doing.” Vernon then helped calm things down outside, along with former licensee Linda Fleming, who was on the scene. “Linda helped me prevent what could have escalated into a very nasty situation,” added Vernon.
George explained what happened next:
“After spraying the whole place, they moved Levi, who seemed unconscious at the time, and that’s when I saw one officer attempt to stomp on his ankles. I intervened again, it wasn’t necessary; the whole thing was out of order.When they finally got Levi out and arrested another man, every police officer stood outside the pub was brandishing extended truncheons with CS gas sprays at the ready. It was like they were here for war. I was so afraid to leave.”
One member of staff who doesn’t want to be named told us that it was out of order the way the police behaved. “We knew the victim sustained injuries because there was blood all over the wall and the floor. And there was no warning before CS gas was discharged inside the pub.”
The Gower Arms is also well known to have CCTV security installation installed on its premises. “The police returned and took all that the following morning,” Vernon Solomon explained. They removed all video, hard drives and the tape machine. This lapse in security led to a burglary of the premises in the early hours of the morning after the surveillance equipment was removed.
“Obviously,” said Vernon. “People became aware of our lapse in security and as the new proprietor, I’m left no further option but to seek full legal advice.”
by Rob Smith
The Messenger spoke to Craig Charlesworth of the New Deal police team. He explained that the incident was under routine investigation and he would not be able to comment on what had happen. He gave us these comments about the use of CS spray.
“The police are issued with CS spray following training in its use.Officers are also tested every year so they are qualified to use it. Officers are trained to take into account all factors before they decide what action to take, whether that be use of CS spray, their baton, or talking to someone.The action taken depends on the officer and their judgment of a situation, but whatever they choose they have to justify it later in a report, or in a court of law. CS spray is less severe than using a baton, CS is generally used when an officer is under threat of violence.”
The Messenger asked why there was no after care for the residents sprayed with CS.
“After care is part of the training in CS spray use, generally this includes reassurance that the effects will wear off soon and advice not to rub the eyes and not to use water on the affected area. I can’t comment on what happened in this particular incident.”
“Its frustrating that we cannot comment, there are always two sides to story, but it’s under investigation.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will decide if there is a case to answer.”