Snatch squad

A snatch squad is a police riot control tactic where several officers, usually in protective riot gear, rush forwards usually in a straight line to snatch one or more individuals from the riot or demonstration which they are opposing.

In one British form of snatch squad, 3 or 4 officers rush at a group of violent or disorderly group of people with two of the men carrying batons and the other a shield: the officer with the shield rushes the most violent of the group and force the subject in between the shield and a wall, while the officers with the batons would arrest the others and escort them out of the crowds.

Images

• Police snatch squad who have dragged a photographer over the railings, Seattle, 20 June 2002
• German police snatch squad ready for action (6th image on page)

Other uses

• This link uses "snatch squad" to mean a remote-country rescue squad.
• This link uses "snatch squad" to mean an animal rescue squad.
• Sonic The Hedgehog: Sonic Search And Snatch Squad is a Sonic the Hedgehog episode.