The Battle of Orgreave

A short-shield "snatch squad" charges after the miners in front of the police line, seeking to drive the demonstrators back, make arrests and beating some of those in range with their truncheons.  Despite the "bodies only, no heads" order, miners were seen with blood streaming from wounds to the head.

This was the first occasion on which snatch squads were used on mainland Britain.

Photo © Natalia Wieczorek.

Back to Orgreave picture gallery or account of the 1984 battle.

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

Re-enacting the Battle of Orgreave    Account of the 1984 battle

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

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Page updated 7 April 2004