".... Police in Bristol are using "Stasi tactics" to harass people who hold left-wing
views, anarchist groups in the city have claimed. ---- The claims follow police efforts to
track down those behind a series of arson and criminal damage offences. ---- Sam, from
Bristol Defendant Solidarity (BDS), said: "It most certainly does look like harassment to
the people on the receiving end of it." ---- Police admitted visiting peoples' homes and
workplaces but denied harassment. ---- Police say they are searching for a suspect called
Huw Norfolk - also known as "Badger" - in connection with the attacks. ---- 'Quite
forceful' ---- Referring to the secret police in the former East Germany, Sam, who did not
want to give his full name, said: "That often repeated saying, 'If you've got nothing to
hide, you've got nothing to fear' was invented by the Stasi.
"The tactics the police are using at the moment have quite a few resemblances to the
tactics used by the Stasi and police forces throughout the world."
Eddie, another BDS member, said police had been visiting other anarchist organisations,
"knocking on people's doors, going to people's houses, making wrongful arrests".
Workplaces and homes were also frequently visited and police were "quite forceful" with
interrogations, he said.
Ch Supt Julian Moss, head of CID for Avon and Somerset Police, said: "If anybody has a
complaint to make, it's important they come and talk to us and we would be happy to listen.
"We have given that offer and so far nobody's taken that up.
"We have been round to places of work to discuss anarchism and to understand the community
better, that I am absolutely certain of. I think that is legitimate."
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» (en) Britain, Media, Bristol anarchist groups claim police use 'Stasi tactics'