What is kettleing?

Kettling is a police tactic that involves containing a group of people within a small area, surrounded by officers, often for extended periods of time. It is also known as kettling, corralling, or containment.

The term "kettling" is derived from the shape of the area in which the people are contained, which is typically a narrow, enclosed space like a street or a park.

Police use kettling to control and detain large groups of people without the use of force or violence. It is often used in situations where there are concerns about public disorder or safety, such as protests, demonstrations, or riots.

Kettling can be a highly controversial tactic, as it can be seen as an infringement on the right to freedom of assembly and movement. In some cases, kettling has led to violent clashes between police and protestors, and has been condemned by human rights groups.

However, police argue that kettling is a necessary tactic to maintain public safety and prevent violence. They claim that it allows them to contain potentially dangerous situations and to detain people who are suspected of committing crimes.

The effectiveness of kettling is debated, with some experts arguing that it can be a useful tactic for managing crowds, while others argue that it can be counterproductive and lead to more violence.