Dear Sir or Madam,

Having just watched the Guardian Newspapers video of the seeming to
be assault of Ian Tomlinson at a G20 protest in London I noticed
that many officers, mainly those in riot gear had obscured their
faces with some kind of scarf. Is it now a standard operating
procedure (SOP) for officers when wearing riot gear to obscure
their faces and if so why and for how long has this been SOP?

If none of your officers are ever seconded for 'riot' duty please
indicate this.

Yours faithfully,

James Collins

Dear Mr Collins,

I write in connection with your request for information dated 9^th April
2009, asking for the following information:

Is it now a standard operating procedure (SOP) for officers when wearing
riot gear to obscure their faces and if so why and for how long has this
been SOP?

Your request has been considered and as directed in Section 1 of the
Freedom of Information Act, we can confirm that we do hold the information
requested. The response from Operations is that face coverings worn by
officers engaged in public order duties are a flameproof face covering
that is standard public order uniform. It is part of a set of flameproof
undergarments worn under the outer uniform and is worn up or down
depending on the threat. The garments can also be used to protect against
noxious substances that were thrown at police regularly throughout the
protest. It is not worn to conceal the identity of the officer.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in
British Transport Police, and if you have any further queries, please do
not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Elliot Harry

Freedom of Information Officer

Information Standards Unit

British Transport Police

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