Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: ‘Residents have had to deal with upheaval while more than 1,000 protestors and 1,400 police officers and staff interrupted their community life during the past 10 days.

‘We liaised with residents since April, providing mobile police stations and contact points before the planned protest. This was to ensure that members of the community had somewhere to direct any concerns during the protest.

‘There was a considerable amount of activity by the police, including our air support, and by the protestors and media. We are grateful to the community for their patience and cooperation.

‘We are appreciative of the letters thanking Kent Police for their assistance during the climate camp. One couple living in the Hoo peninsula wrote to us to thank us for helping their wedding take place with little disruption. We have also received positive feedback from several people directly involved with the protest, who stayed at the camp.

Enabling lawful and peaceful protest
‘From the start I have stressed that our aim was always to enable a lawful and peaceful protest to take place.

‘Many climate camp protesters shared this aim and worked with us to meet the legal requirements of the Public Order Act.

‘We worked closely to provide a safe route for the protest march on Saturday and the subsequent assembly, taking into account that the marchers included children and people with mobility problems.

‘Policing of the march was predominantly low key and good-natured. We thank those taking part for their cooperation and responsible attitude in the nature of their protest.

‘However, while a number of people have been law abiding, it was clear from the first day of the camp setting up that a number of people were intent on causing trouble. On 31 July we conducted a warrant on the camp and found items that could be used to commit criminal damage.’

Day of mass action
On the day of mass action, a number of groups detached from the planned march and headed across country to Kingsnorth power station, some wearing masks. Kent Police believes individuals from these groups were among those who later made determined efforts to break into the power station.

ACC Beautridge continued: ‘Sadly, despite all our warnings and those of the Medway Ports Authority Harbour Master and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, some foolhardy people decided to protest from the water, trying to reach Kingsnorth from various points on the Medway, ignoring the prohibition made by the Harbour Master on the grounds of safety. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or serious injuries.

‘While there were those involved in the protest who were sensible and responsible, there were also those clearly intent on breaking into the power station to shut it down. Our policy was that policing was proportionate to this threat.

‘The decision to deploy specialist units including dogs and horses is always considered carefully. Because of the level of resistance, officers were authorised to carry batons during two days of the protest.

‘There are strict legal standards for their use and we gave clear warnings when any specialist team was deployed, which is our policy. Those intent on breaking the law had the choice and opportunity to stop.

‘I know there has been comment from the media on the level of the policing during climate camp. We will investigate all complaints. If we find evidence that anyone has acted inappropriately or failed to demonstrate the standards we set and expect, Kent Police and partner police forces will address this.’

Costs
Kent Police and the Kent Police Authority will be contacting the Home Office to discuss a rebate towards the cost of policing the climate camp protest. The cost currently stands at several million pounds but it is too early to give a definitive sum.

ACC Beautridge added: ‘As we speak, people who took part in climate camp are shutting down their camp and this may take a couple of days.

‘From the police point of view, our forward operating base at Hoo will start being dismantled from Tuesday and will be cleared by Thursday 14 August.’

Neighbourhood officers will continue to work with the community to deal with any issues they may have after the camp has been cleared and protestors have left.

Arrests
During climate camp, officers arrested 100 people, which resulted in:

46 charges
22 cautions
three bound overs
one breach of bail