Northwood Military HQ Blockade Updates:

- Sunday 19/01/03:

20:15pm - Legal Team Update: Over 70 arrests total in today's blockade have now been confirmed. Most are still in police stations although some people are being released. Several protesters have been charged of "obstructing the highway" and "obstructing the police", and at least two activists will be kept under arrest until monday.

18:15pm - The organiser's Legal Team informs that most of those arrested have been taken to Watford and other Hertfordshire police stations. Teams of legal volunteers are currently going round the area's police stations visiting those arrested and offering legal advice.

17:00pm - More than 50 people have been arrested in total, and the scene has been cleared. Organisers consider the blockade has been a success. The main access road remains sealed off by the security forces as they continue to process those arrested.

15:20pm - After making an announcement, police have started to remove people who remained on the road. At least 15 protesters have been arrested, searched, photographed and put into vans. Those detained were chanting "Not in my name", while their supporters shouted "No war for oil".

14:20pm - Main gate has been blockaded for hours now. Samba and mobile soundsystem are still playing. At a smaller second gate there have been 5 arrests, 4 women who were locked together in pairs with pipes and another man. Police have informed the crowd that if they refuse to clear the main gate blockade by 3pm, they will use force and make arrests.

12:50pm - Around 200 demonstrators with drumming band and bicylce sound system have almost reached the base, they are sitting in an approach road in protest at the police trying to funnel them onto the pavement. Negotiations are now in progress.

11:40am - Police is starting to use cutting equipment to remove the 6 protesters locked onto the gates of the military base. The main anti-war demosntration is expected to arrive at the base anytime.

10:45am - Police presence is increasing in numbers. Police are starting to prepare cutting equipment and crash barriers have been brought in to prevent demonstrators from blocking the main entrance to the base. 6 police vans are also stationed outside a church where a multi faith service is going on just opposite the main entrance of the base.

9:15am - The blockade of the Northwood military base in London started early today. Two hours before the action was due to start, 6 peace activists locked themselves onto the gates of the base with steel tubes. These were covered with giant purple pants with the slogan "War is pants".