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Climate Camp Day One - August 4

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Picture by Barry Crayford
Picture by Barry Crayford

If those at Climate Camp wanted to maximise publicity for their cause, they couldn’t have gone about it better today.

Two police raids, a defiant stand-off over allegedly abandoned cars and the return of some eco-action heroes. They couldn’t have wished for more.

The day’s events began with an early morning raid at the site in Dux Court Road near Hoo.

Police officers attempted to seize a number of vehicles which were thought to be blocking the site exit.

I arrived on site about 1.30pm waiting to interview Lib Dem MP Norman Baker.

Everything was calm. There was a heavy police presence and a standoff on the other side of the Camp with protesters linking arms to stop vehicles being taken away.

Still it was generally peaceful at this point. Within the hour everything had changed.

There was an announcement on camp that riot police were trying to enter the site at Gate 5 and the volunteers were needed to go and meet them.

I was sat on a hay bale chatting to one of the protesters at the time.

Most still seemed unaffected by the news. But as I attempted to get near to where the police had entered it soon became very clear this was different.

Dozens of dark blue clad officers carrying shields were converging on the field. Things looked set for confrontation.

I kept a relatively safe distance, but could clearly see a small number of clashes between police and protesters.

This problem probably went on for a matter of minutes. It felt like an age. There were whistles going off and people shouting all around me.

The protesters formed lines across the field and near other gates to halt the police advance. Other campers grabbed bales of hay and wheelie bins to blockade the main gate off Dux Court Road.

Things calmed down for a while with both side just standing and generally looking at each other.

Then suddenly there was a bit of a commotion. I feared more clashes. In fact it was the return of five eco-activists arrested after stopping a coal train during a protest at the Drax Power Station, Yorkshire in June. As part of their bail conditions they were supposed to keep away from Hoo, but decided to come anyway.

They arrived in Chatham at about 2pm to face a media scrum and almost certain arrest a short time later.

The Arriva bus, strictly kept to its route, including a stop-off at the BAE Systems Sports and Social Club - Kent Police’s temporary base.

As they passed the police check point near Deangate Golf course they were greeted by eco-comrades chanting - “We love you bail breakers we do, we love you bail breakers yes we do.”

Two were arrested and driven away. Four - plus a lorry carrying vegetable supplies - were allowed through.

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