CLAIMS of police brutality at the Barton Moss anti-fracking protest have not been substantiated, a report from an independent panel has found.

The report also concluded that more "robust planning" and better engagement with protest groups will help improve public confidence and trust in Greater Manchester Police.

It also says protesters should do more to recognise their responsibilities when protesting.

Sgt Dave Kehoe, from Bolton, was investigated after a doctor claimed he was unlawfully arrested at the protest.

Dr Steven Peers was videoing the protest when he was arrested for refusing a breath test after a police officer accused him of driving to the site drunk.

Sgt Kehoe was seen on video saying: “You've had a drink this morning. Where's your car? You've just said to me you've had two drinks.”

The doctor said he told the officer he had been drinking tea, not alcohol.

Dr Peers was charged but the case was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service because there was insufficient evidence.

Officers from the police’s professional standards breach investigated the video.

The panel, set up by police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd, was established amid public concerns about policing and other issues around the Barton Moss site and a need for independent scrutiny of related police operations.

The panel found that although the majority of people at the site were there to protest peacefully, a small number wanted to antagonise police and cause trouble.

This led to all protesters feeling they were treated as criminals because of the actions of a few and resulted in a breakdown of trust between police and protesters.

Claims of police brutality have not been substantiated and specific claims of alleged injuries were found to be untrue.

Martin Miller, chairman of the panel that wrote the report, said: “We also found that some protestors were shoved and felt they were treated badly, although I want to stress that allegations of police brutality have not been substantiated.

“This is not about finger-pointing or blame, it’s about giving constructive, valuable feedback to the police, public bodies and also the protesters involved so that lessons can be learned and the management of future protests can be improved.

“Although there were many things that were done right, we found that many of the issues could have been mitigated or resolved by better pre-planning and more constructive communications and engagement with the protesters and wider public.”

Mr Lloyd said: “The Barton Moss protest was particularly complex and contentious and, amid the legitimate public concerns raised, it was clear that independent scrutiny of this operation was needed in order to build trust and public confidence in our police service.

Ch Con Peter Fahy said: “The policing of protests is often contentious and the Barton Moss protest put GMP between those wishing to obstruct the drilling process and a company and landowner wishing to carry out their lawful business.

“It is important that police action is independently scrutinised and we welcome the first report from the protest panel. All the recommendations are accepted by the force.

“The panel has highlighted the difficult issues of how to ensure all agencies preplan the response to protest, how the police communicate with protesters when some don’t want to engage with the police and how the police communicate information on a protest without introducing any bias.”