Kettling

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Kettling (also known as containment or corralling)^[1] is a police tactic for controlling large crowds during demonstrations or protests. It involves the formation of large cordons of police officers who then move to contain a crowd within a limited area. Protesters either leave through an exit controlled by the police, leave through an uncontrolled gap in the cordons, or are contained, prevented from leaving, and arrested.

The tactic has proved controversial, in part because it has resulted in the detention of ordinary bystanders as well as protesters.^[2] In March 2012 kettling was ruled lawful by the European Court of Human Rights following a legal challenge.^[3]