Street theatre troupe 'Space Hijackers' to seek compensation from the Metropolitan Police following confiscation of items during G20 protest (From Watford Observer)

Street theatre troupe 'Space Hijackers' to seek compensation from the Metropolitan Police following confiscation of items during G20 protest

12:30pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in

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A street theatre group protesting at the G20 demonstrations is to seek compensation from the Metropolitan Police after officers confiscated their costumes and vehicle.

David Vannen, 38, from Upper Highway, Abbots Langley, is one of 11 protesters from a satirical troupe known as Space Hijackers, arrested by police after driving an armoured vehicle into the City of London on April Fool’s Day last year – at the height of anti-capitalist demonstrations.

Dressed in navy-coloured overalls and riot police-style helmets, the group, which holds regular “thought-provoking protests” across the country, parked its customised bright blue Alvis Saracen, emblazoned with the word “riot” and complete with makeshift gun turret, outside the Royal Bank of Scotland offices in Bishopsgate.

Mr Vannen, who has been a member of the Space Hijackers for the past five years, said: “In the lead up to the demonstration, the media reported that police were gearing themselves up for a ‘Summer of Rage’ and were prepared to take no prisoners at the G20 demonstrations.

“One officer claimed he was going to ‘bash some hippies’ on his Facebook, so, as a group known for taking a satirical stand, we decided we’d do something thought-provoking and humorous.

“We thought our action would be a spoof of the media hype - we never expected officers to react in the way they did.”

Police did not find the Space Hijackers “humorous” and arrested the group for impersonating police officers, a crime which carries a custodial sentence.

They were charged with impersonating police, but after four hearings, the case was dropped on Wednesday, January 27.

Mr Vannen, who works in digital media, said: “The police have taken away our helmets, overalls and our vehicle.

“Our solicitor went to see the van and he said it was in a ‘state of disrepair’.

“What we want now is for it to be repaired and for the police to foot the bill.”

Describing the effect the charges have had on his family, Mr Vannen said that they have been supportive of his actions, but for some of the younger members his arrest had been very upsetting.

He said: "Because of these difficulties, and the difficulties caused to others in the group, we will be looking into the prospect of compensation.

“I'm not anti-police, but I sincerely believe that there are serious questions over their handling of the whole event.

“It was absurd we were arrested for what was essentially a spoof. The police are aware that we are a satirical group and if we had gone to trial, it would have cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds. It’s a farce.”

Elian Fletcher, for the Metropolitan Police Service, said: “A group of people were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of police uniform by officers working on the joint policing operation for G20.

“A decision to charge was made by the Crown Prosecution Service who has now decided to discontinue the charges.

"No claim has yet been received by the Metropolitan Police Service."