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Kent Police say thanks

Kent Police | 21.08.2008 10:08 | Climate Camp 2008 | Climate Chaos | South Coast

Kent Police would like to express its gratitude to the residents of the Hoo Peninsula as the climate camp protests at Kingsnorth come to an end.

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

Kent Police
- e-mail: enquiries@kent.pnn.police.uk
- Homepage: http://www.kent.police.uk

Comments

Hide the following 9 comments

this is so much fun

21.08.2008 13:54

On 31 July we conducted a warrant on the camp and found items that could be used to commit criminal damage.’

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXaGJJbAK8w


Kent Police believes individuals from these groups were among those who later made determined efforts to break into the power station.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeVfZ6CpICA


Because of the level of resistance, officers were authorised to carry batons during two days of the protest.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I00KnM-rqT4


‘There are strict legal standards for their use and we gave clear warnings when any specialist team was deployed, which is our policy.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX0ksoCwMA8


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.’

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX0ksoCwMA8


‘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.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oo-OJxvdvYs


‘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.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YbUAPaZjHU


‘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.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N4O4ppazf8

madge


Our view

21.08.2008 15:19

We came to the camp on the second day intending to stay all week as this is the most important crisis ever facing humankind so it was with considerable regret we left after two days. The camp was simply not what we expected.

1 - Food, some people want to be Vegan, that is their choice. My wife didn't appreciate being shouted at for drinking some milk. We are both veggies, have been for ten years, we may go Vegan, we may not. That is our choice. We resent being told that by not being Vegan we are "part of the problem". This was not an isolated incident, I heard many others complaining of the same issue.

2 - Workshops - some were good others were simply innacurate and the speakers did not know their science. If an individuals wants to put themself up as an expert they had better know their stuff. Many did not. I should say I am a chemistry teacher, I stepped up to make a couple of points on the mistakes being made and was told my opinions were not needed. When I spoke to one of the speakers after a presentation where numerous falsehoods had been presented as facts I was accused of being in the pay of an oil company.

3 - Late night music. Simply selfish.

4 - Long term planning, I was hoping to see good alternative ideas for power production however most of them were simply unrealistic and impractical. We must not be just shouters we must be providers of solutions as well.

5 - Violence - From the Police I saw it but I also saw those who has come intent on provoking the police as well, I heard a number of calls for actions that would lead to confrontation when it was going to achieve nothing. These people should have been asked to leave.

6 - Politics - We won't be otherthrowing world capitalism any day soon so there seems little point in having a discussion of how "we" (why us ?) will be running the country after the revolution. Climate change is a cross political issue. The political affliations of individuals are not relevant.

7 - The attempt to close the power station was stupid, probably dangerous and played into the hands of the media perfectly. A major mistake.

I will be attending future planning meetings as I hope to set a better plan for the next camp. The 2008 camp was a failure.

Clive and Terri


In response to the points raised by Clive and Terry

21.08.2008 15:38


1 - Food, some people want to be Vegan, that is their choice. My wife didn't appreciate being shouted at for drinking some milk. We are both veggies, have been for ten years, we may go Vegan, we may not. That is our choice. We resent being told that by not being Vegan we are "part of the problem". This was not an isolated incident, I heard many others complaining of the same issue.

THE FOOD NAZIS AS THEY ARE KNOWN BY SOME WERE INDEED A PROBLEM. ONE I DEALT WITH BY TELLING THEM TO FUCK OFF - THAT WORKED JUST FINE

2 - Workshops - some were good others were simply innacurate and the speakers did not know their science. If an individuals wants to put themself up as an expert they had better know their stuff. Many did not. I should say I am a chemistry teacher, I stepped up to make a couple of points on the mistakes being made and was told my opinions were not needed. When I spoke to one of the speakers after a presentation where numerous falsehoods had been presented as facts I was accused of being in the pay of an oil company.

I'M SORRY TO SAY i COULDN'T AGREE MORE. MAYBE NEXT YEAR PRESENTATIONS CAN BE VETTED IN ADVANCE BY A TEAM TO ENSURE SCIENTIC ACCURACY ?

3 - Late night music. Simply selfish.

DIDN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL BUT THEN I WAS ONE OF THOSE PLAYING, SORRY IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE IT

4 - Long term planning, I was hoping to see good alternative ideas for power production however most of them were simply unrealistic and impractical. We must not be just shouters we must be providers of solutions as well.

I THINK SOLAR, WIND AND TIDAL ALTERNATIVES DO EXIST, MAYBE IT JUST NEEDS TO BE BETTER EXPLAINED. MAYBE YOU COULD BE ONE OF THOSE DOING THE EXPLAINING NEXT TIME ?

5 - Violence - From the Police I saw it but I also saw those who has come intent on provoking the police as well, I heard a number of calls for actions that would lead to confrontation when it was going to achieve nothing. These people should have been asked to leave.

EVERY ACTION OF THIS KIND ATTRACTS THE MASKED UP, LET'S KICK A COPPER, NUTTERS BUT THEY ARE A VERY SMALL MINORITY. CONSIDERING HOW FEW PEOPLE TURNED UP TO THE CAMP THIS YEAR I'M NOT SURE SENDING PEOPLE AWAY WAS A GOOD IDEA. WE NEED EVERYONE WE CAN GET

6 - Politics - We won't be otherthrowing world capitalism any day soon so there seems little point in having a discussion of how "we" (why us ?) will be running the country after the revolution. Climate change is a cross political issue. The political affliations of individuals are not relevant.

I THINK THE CAPITALIST SYTEM IS THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM, BUT I AGREE THERE ARE STILL A FEW OF THE "AFTER THE REVOLUTION BROTHER" TYPES AROUND ALTHOUGH THEY ARE GETTING OLD THESE DAYS :-)

7 - The attempt to close the power station was stupid, probably dangerous and played into the hands of the media perfectly. A major mistake.

AGREED, A WASTE OF EVERYONES TIME AND A GIFT FOR THE LIKES OF THE DAILY MAIL

I will be attending future planning meetings as I hope to set a better plan for the next camp. The 2008 camp was a failure.

GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE STICKING WITH US, HOPE TO SEE SOME OF YOUR IDEAS BEING USED NEXT YEAR

ROLL ON CLIMATE CAMP 2009................

One of the campers who was there all week


Response to Clive and Terri

21.08.2008 16:26

So the camp was 'a failure' was it - just because it wasn't exactly what you had hoped for?!

If you'd stuck the camp out for the whole hog you'd have realised just how much shit people had to deal with from the police. Have you tried to help set up, maintain and tat down a campsite for up to 2,000 people for 2 weeks while fending off frequent aggressive and violent incursions by the police and pathetic attempts to sabotage the event? In that sense it was a great success, as the camp did go ahead, got plenty of media coverage, and the massive cost of policing events such as the camp - not to ention the embarrassment over their heavy-handed tactics - is exactly the type of thing that may force the govt. to u-turn on its plans to build more coal fired power stations.

And please, don't give us any rubbish about us provoking the police - you weren't there to witness the full extent of their harassment and dirty tactics. In fact, the face of all that I'm amazed that people remained so committed to non-violence.

Lastly - Climate Camp is built on the principle of NON-HIERARCHY. Ie - we don't want to 'run the world' in the future. It means that we want to see a world where EVERYONE is empowered to determine their own future!


Tired


another response to clive and terri

21.08.2008 16:50

"We came to the camp on the second day intending to stay all week as this is the most important crisis ever facing humankind so it was with considerable regret we left after two days. The camp was simply not what we expected."

i came to the camp 3 days before it began intendin to take part in workshops, skillshares etc. so it was with considerable regret that i spent most of my time securing the site from police incursions. it was with considerable pride that i finally left, 3 days after the end.

"1 - Food, some people want to be Vegan, that is their choice. My wife didn't appreciate being shouted at for drinking some milk. We are both veggies, have been for ten years, we may go Vegan, we may not. That is our choice. We resent being told that by not being Vegan we are "part of the problem". This was not an isolated incident, I heard many others complaining of the same issue."

the choice to be vegan. if it makes you happy to be vegetarian, fair play, but don't get resentful when people point out the facts to you. i agree you shouldn't have been shouted at but as you yourself admit, we're kinda facin a crisis and not everyone can articulate their fears well.

"According to a United Nations report, animal farming is responsible for 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than the total generated world-wide by planes, cars and all
other forms of transport."


"2 - Workshops - some were good others were simply innacurate and the speakers did not know their science. If an individuals wants to put themself up as an expert they had better know their stuff. Many did not. I should say I am a chemistry teacher, I stepped up to make a couple of points on the mistakes being made and was told my opinions were not needed. When I spoke to one of the speakers after a presentation where numerous falsehoods had been presented as facts I was accused of being in the pay of an oil company."

only actually got to go to one of these so can't really comment. (oh why not, if a chemistry teacher can know all about cuttin edge technology then i get to put my tuppenceworth in.*) i didn't feel inspired by the titles of the workshops nor those giving them. any workshop that tells its audience that their opinion is not wanted, shite workshop, nuff said.

"3 - Late night music. Simply selfish."

early mornin shoutin. simply selfish


"4 - Long term planning, I was hoping to see good alternative ideas for power production however most of them were simply unrealistic and impractical. We must not be just shouters we must be providers of solutions as well."

erm....did you happen to notice any of those big whirly things, or the square shiny things?**
actually i agree, from what i heard most 'solutions' touted were market led nonsense


"5 - Violence - From the Police I saw it but I also saw those who has come intent on provoking the police as well, I heard a number of calls for actions that would lead to confrontation when it was going to achieve nothing. These people should have been asked to leave."

how could you tell those who had come with the intention of provokin the police? 'cos they had masks on? ever been harrased by your local copper weeks after attendin a legal demo? ever had your photo, name and address posted on redwatch?
you were there for two days, try bein there for a week of constant nightime raids, watchin your friends get hospitalised and sufferin extreme physical abuse .
i was amazed that there was no retaliation with the police, refusin to be bullied and opressed is not violence.


"6 - Politics - We won't be otherthrowing world capitalism any day soon so there seems little point in having a discussion of how "we" (why us ?) will be running the country after the revolution. Climate change is a cross political issue. The political affliations of individuals are not relevant."

climate change is a result of capitalism. if you really don't think this is relevant, best get yer waders out.

"7 - The attempt to close the power station was stupid, probably dangerous and played into the hands of the media perfectly. A major mistake."

the success of closin down the power station, however briefly, was well thought out, probably dangerous and inspired many to realise the power we can weild when we participate in direct action.

"I will be attending future planning meetings as I hope to set a better plan for the next camp. The 2008 camp was a failure. "

be glad to see a new face, especially one who obviously has all the answers. be sure to read up on non-heirarchical, horizontal decision makin and consensus though.
the 2008 camp was a success


*i have my tongue so firmly in my cheek here but reckon i'm still gonna get into trouble for this one
** see above

feistyf


(yet) another response to Clive and Terri

21.08.2008 19:24


Well... the most important crisis facing humanity, as you say... it must be solved... and you last two days then go home, because...

1. somebody said something unpleasant,
2. you disagreed with what a couple of workshop-givers said
3. some people stayed up too late
4. some peoples practical ideas about the future were a bit utopian
5. you thought some people might be there to provoke the police
6. some peoples political ideas about the future were a bit utopian
7. you disagreed with the concensus-decision to target Kingsnorth to highlight the threat faced by a new coal-fired powerstation being built there.

Surely, Clive, the post is a joke? A little more sticking power, little more acceptance of others, and their numerous imperfects, if we're going to have a broad-based movement to tackle climate change...

Perhaps a note of thanks to all those people who tried their best to do something positive? Something more balanced in way of your view, like a good scientist should be.

It is of course manifestly untrue to say the camp was a failure, if you're going to get involved! Perhaps the unfalliable scientist has himself made a mistake in his logic! Surely not!

happy science-ycamper


At last some meaningful debate

21.08.2008 20:48

I'm glad that some of you are actually discussing the pros and cons of climate camp.

Hopefully some of those in the non-hierarchy will be listening.


GThis is turning into one of the most productive threads that I have read on Indy recently!

Bob


Productive?... gullable...

22.08.2008 00:05

Indymedia really sucks for this kind of thing. You really should ready between the lines. There is very little that is genuine or honest about this thread. Anonymous postings designed to divide and discredit.

Get off the internet and talk to real people.

bored


Just in case you hadn't figured it out

22.08.2008 10:19

This thread is one of disinformation designed to discredit and divide. Most of the posts are in fact from one person, misrepresenting themselves and reality. The same person works almost full time posting disinformation on indymedia and has done so for several years.

watcher


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