Snatch squad

A snatch squad refers to two tactics used by police in riot control and crowd control.

Snatch squad in riot control

The snatch squad in riot control involves several police officers, usually in protective riot gear, rushing forwards, occasionally in flying wedge formation to break through the front of a crowd, with the objective of snatching one or more individuals from a riot they are attempting to control or demonstration at which they are present. The target may be a leader or a speaker, or someone who is displayed to be leading the crowd.

In one British form of the tactic, 3 or 4 officers rush at a group of violent or disorderly people with two of the officers carrying batons and the others a shield. The officer with the shield rushes the most violent in the group and forces the subject between the shield and a fixed object, while the other officers either arrest the others or escort them out of the crowds.

Undercover snatch squads

A snatch squad may also refer to undercover police officers apprehending individuals, often in a looting situation. Often the undercover police officer(s) will mingle with crowds intent on causing trouble and appear to be a bystander. The undercover officers can arrest any individual attempting to break or loot a store, often in an isolated scenario with few crowds as not to provoke retribution against the officers.

This tactic was used in the 2011 England Riots, most notably by Greater Manchester Police who deployed this tactic in Manchester city centre on 9 August 2011.

Images

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