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Wednesday, May 22 2013

More than 1,000 officers from 26 forces: welcome to climate camp!

ACC Beautridge at the press conference on Tuesday

ACC Beautridge at the press conference on Tuesday

It is policing on a scale rarely before seen in Kent.

  • Up to 1,400 officers on stand-by.

  • Police deployed from more than half of the forces in England and Wales.

  • Helicopters, boat patrols, mounted units and riot squads.

    All for what is said to be a peaceful protest of 1,100 people.

    Kent police have been accused of being too heavy-handed in their policing of the Camp for Climate Action near Kingsnorth Power Station, following a series of raids and arrests.

    The force has confirmed it has between 350 to 1,400 officers on site at any one time, and that they have called upon 26 out of the 43 police forces in England and Wales to help.

    The camp has 1,100 protesters on site, and Kent police said they believe only 100 to 150 of these people are intent on unlawful action.


    ~ See our camp climate protest special report >>>

    Asked to justify the scale of the climate camp’s policing, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: "We have to be ready for a whole range of eventualities, and we have looked at previous demonstrations of this nature.

    "We have a duty to ensure the safety of everyone, to ensure that lawful, economic activity carries on, and that resident s and visitor s to Hoo and the Isle of Grain are safe.

    "We have put in a range of options with a range of different resourcing profiles that will allow us to deliver that."


    ~ Listen: Hazel Dawe, chair of the Kent Green Party, criticises police activity at the camp. Hear her speak to kmfm's Antony Masters >>>

    The first raids on the site, carried out last Thursday, saw police confiscate bolt croppers, climbing ropes, flares and grappling hooks, as well as children’s crayons, food and tents.

    On Monday, officers in riot gear descended on the site after "repeatedly asking protestors to clear the access routes to and from the site (of vehicles)".

    Scuffles subsequently broke out between protestors and the police, when campers allegedly began throwing coins and forks at officers.

    Twelve people were arrested and seven have been charged with crimes relating to obstructing officers in the execution of their duties.

    Late on Monday night, police recovered kitchen knives, a replica throwing star, and a large chain with padlock from a wooded area by the camp, which police believe were to be used for criminal purposes.


    ~ Weapons seized at climate camp >>>


    ACC Beautridge added: "I hope people don't (think we are being heavy-handed), I really don't.

    "We are committed to the safety of people on that site, and if anyone approaches us on site they will find out what we are there for.

    "(The protestors) can have the access to our staff and to the media, but we don't want anyone getting hurt and anyone breaking the law."


  • Catch up with the very latest, including blogs from reporters on the scene, at medwaymessenger.co.uk >>>

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