Huhne: Police warned on hiding identification numbers three years ago

The Liberal Democrats have highlighted an IPCC report which criticised the Police for obscuring them during the anti-hunting Bill protests in 2004, reinforcing the Inspector of Constabulary comments that the Police should always display their identification numbers

The IPCC report in the pro-hunting demonstration in 2004, stated that: "Two such areas were quickly defined: firstly the failure of some officers to comply with an instruction to wear black epaulettes on their yellow fluorescent jackets, thus ensuring easy identification. This is a managed issue; a sergeant is attached to a unit of six constables and this should be a relatively easy task to comply with."

Another example of the Police without identifying numbers at the Kingsnorth protest

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne went on to say:

"Three years ago, the IPCC raised concerns that some officers were obscuring their identification numbers during the pro-hunting demonstrations.

"It is deeply disappointing that this problem raised its ugly head again during the most recent protests, particularly when we were given firm assurances that it would not.

"There have also been reports of this unacceptable tactic being used at the Heathrow and Kingsnorth demonstrations. It has got to stop. Senior officers must reassert discipline among those policing demonstrations."