Re-enactors portraying riot police march past the audience during the pre-battle "show and tell" demonstration, which  explained the different types of police utilised in the confrontation and their tactics. This PSU (Police Support Unit) is equipped with standard police uniforms, blue NATO-style helmets, short oblong shields and truncheon.  Beyond stand the lines of ordinary "bobbies" which constituted by far the greatest proportion of officers on duty in 1984 (many ranks deep in places), with mounted police behind the line and long-shield defensive units moving up top left.

Short shield "snatch squads" were utilised on mainland Britain for the first time at Orgreave on 18 June. Most  were equipped with a round see-through shield although some (as above) had oblong shields. At least one PSU was uniformed in a new fire-retardant one-piece suit. In the pursuit of maximum authenticity, all these elements were featured within the re-enactment.

EventPlan's ground-breaking live re-enactment for Artangel and Channel 4 featured 800 re-enactors and local extras including veterans of the actual clash, and was felt by many to be the most realistic recreation they had ever witnessed.

Photo © Skirmish Magazine

Back to  account of the 1984 battle.

For more information about the battle and re-enactment, follow the links to:

Re-enacting the Battle of Orgreave    Battle of Orgreave film review    Magazine article about the re-enactment  

Historical Film Services is the TV and film division of EventPlan Limited.

Page updated 7 April 2004