The violent confrontation at Orgreave during the 1984 miners' strike remains one of the most infamous clashes in British industrial history. This visual timeline breaks down the key moments of the pitched battle between police and picketers that left deep scars on communities and policing.
The Build-Up to Conflict
As tensions escalated during the year-long miners' strike, Orgreave coking plant in South Yorkshire became a flashpoint. The National Union of Mineworkers saw it as crucial to stop coke deliveries to steelworks, while the government was determined to keep supplies moving.
June 18, 1984: The Day of Violence
What began as a mass picket turned into a brutal confrontation:
- Over 5,000 police officers faced approximately the same number of miners
- Police deployed mounted units and riot gear in unprecedented numbers
- Violent clashes erupted after miners were accused of throwing projectiles
- Multiple injuries were reported on both sides
The Aftermath and Legacy
The events at Orgreave had far-reaching consequences:
- 95 miners were charged with riot offences, but all cases collapsed
- Allegations of police misconduct and false evidence emerged
- The confrontation became symbolic of the strike's bitter divisions
- Calls for a public inquiry continue to this day
The visual timeline reveals how this single day came to represent the broader struggle between the Thatcher government and trade unions during this turbulent period in British history.
