Age Concern has backed the call for an investigation into police actions during the protests outside the House of Assembly on Friday.

The seniors advocacy group said in a statement: “Of notable concern to the advocacy group is the use of pepper spray and other possible forms of physical harm, seemingly without warning or physical provocation, on the seniors involved in the protest.”

Saying it supports Michael Dunkley’s call for a probe, Age Concern said clarity is needed on when and how force of this nature is applied by the police and whether the tactics used by the officers was appropriate for the circumstances.

Executive director Claudette Fleming stated: “I appreciate the calls, and many conversations of persons who have reached out to us from the time of the incident to inform us of their concern for the unfortunate turn of events that happened on Friday.

“As an advocacy group for seniors we will not discourage our members from exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully.

“But more importantly, we hear and understand the fears of those seniors who feel as though their voice is not being heard by legislators.

“We know many seniors would not take to the streets for a cause unless it was an issue in which they truly believe.

“We agree that law and order has a very important place in our society and; that its application must be used with the outmost sensitivity and discernment in maintaining the very peace that the police service exists to protect.”

Deputy and advocacy chairman of Age Concern, Charles Jeffers, said: “We fully support the Premier’s call for an investigation into the police services handling of the situation. There is certainly something that we can all learn from these events.”