Smith: Too much police bashing after G20

The home secretary has condemned the "police-bashing" which has taken place since the G20 protests last month.

Speaking at the Police Federation conference, Jacqui Smith also expressed hope that criticism of the policing of the protests would not affect the recruitment of officers.

Smith told the police officers that allegations from the G20 would need to be investigated. But there were only a "small number" of alleged cases, she added.

"I think it is pretty important in this country for the confidence we have in policing that we also have an Independent Police Complaints Commission," she told the Bournemouth gathering.

"That does mean sometimes the chairman will say things that I do not like and sometimes the police do not like."

She added: "We all saw the pictures on the television. But what we didn't see was all the hard work that went in, behind the scenes, to mounting such a large-scale and intensive police operation."

And Smith said that having visited senior officers on the day of the protests, "it was clear to me that the overwhelming sense was of your commitment to protecting the public as well as facilitating people's right to demonstrate peacefully".

"But let's be clear about this. Even under pressure it is vital the professional standards you prize so highly are upheld," the home secretary added.

"Badges should be visible, where there has been wrongdoing or cause for complaint, we should let the processes we have in place take their proper course."