This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/7540450.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Police move Climate Camp vehicles Police and eco-protesters clash
(about 6 hours later)
Police have removed cars considered to be blocking access at the Climate Camp near Kingsnorth power station in Kent. Police in riot gear and protesters have clashed at the Climate Camp near Kingsnorth power station in Kent.
Officers said the force had become "increasingly concerned" about the lack of safe access or emergency exit routes from the field on the Hoo peninsula. Officers said the "current negotiations" centred on the lack of safe access or emergency exit routes from the field on the Hoo peninsula.
They said they raised concerns with activists who added to the vehicles. Camp spokeswoman Alex Harvey said the force's operations were "political policing of the worst kind".
Camp spokeswoman Alex Harvey said protesters had two vehicles near the gate which belonged to them. Six men have been arrested. Up to 500 people are now at the site some 2m (3.2km) from Kingsnorth. About 10 people have been arrested.
The force said one arrest came after midnight, when a 40-year-old man was held on suspicion of possessing a prohibited weapon. One arrest came after midnight, when a 40-year-old man was held on suspicion of possessing a prohibited weapon.
Five other people were arrested early on Monday, four on suspicion of public order offences and a fifth on suspicion of obstructing a police officer.Five other people were arrested early on Monday, four on suspicion of public order offences and a fifth on suspicion of obstructing a police officer.
'Abandoned' Four other people were held later on what is believed to be suspicion of public order offences.
Ms Harvey said "a small number" of officers arrived at the site at about 0530 BST on Monday. We are really outraged by this Alex Harvey
"First it was a small number and then it increased to about 100. There had been stand-off between police and protesters from about 0530 BST when officers removed cars considered to be blocking access at the Climate Camp in Dux Road.
"They attempted to remove two vehicles there - they said they were abandoned. But they were our vehicles. Between 1500 BST and 1600 BST activists and officers clashed in a field close to the A228 at one of the entrances to the site.
We used absolutely the minimum force necessary Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge Kent Police said they held negotiations over increasing concerns about lack of safe access.
"We went to try to prevent them from taking them and entering the site. Ms Harvey said: "At 4 o'clock, completely unconnected [to the car removals], police in riot gear on three different sides of the site came en-masse.
"There were two vehicles there all morning and nothing has changed." "We are baffled by what is political policing of the worst kind to disrupt and delay being here to talk about climate change. We are really outraged by this."
'Safe evacuation'
A statement issued by Kent Police said there was a "lack of safe access or emergency exit routes" from the campsite in Dux Road.A statement issued by Kent Police said there was a "lack of safe access or emergency exit routes" from the campsite in Dux Road.
It said that vehicles were blocking the only usable gate.It said that vehicles were blocking the only usable gate.
The statement said: "We raised this concern with their representatives yesterday and their response was to increase the number of vehicles obstructing this gate.The statement said: "We raised this concern with their representatives yesterday and their response was to increase the number of vehicles obstructing this gate.
The response from protesters has required us to increase our presence on the site Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge
"Officers therefore sought to provide clear access to allow safe evacuation or access for emergency vehicles should this become necessary."Officers therefore sought to provide clear access to allow safe evacuation or access for emergency vehicles should this become necessary.
"Protesters have actively tried to prevent police from doing this.""Protesters have actively tried to prevent police from doing this."
'Locked on'
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge added: 'We used absolutely the minimum force necessary to ensure safe access and entry routes to and from the site.Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge added: 'We used absolutely the minimum force necessary to ensure safe access and entry routes to and from the site.
"However, the response from protesters, including those who have 'locked on' to the vehicles causing the obstruction, has required us to increase our presence on the site.""However, the response from protesters, including those who have 'locked on' to the vehicles causing the obstruction, has required us to increase our presence on the site."
Kent Police has said it has 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby during the Climate Camp. The force has a £1m law enforcement budget.Kent Police has said it has 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby during the Climate Camp. The force has a £1m law enforcement budget.
Protesters want to halt plans by E.ON UK to demolish the existing Kingsnorth plant and replace it with a coal-fired unit that it claims will be 20% cleaner.Protesters want to halt plans by E.ON UK to demolish the existing Kingsnorth plant and replace it with a coal-fired unit that it claims will be 20% cleaner.
Medway Council has approved the plan, and the final decision will be made by the government.Medway Council has approved the plan, and the final decision will be made by the government.
If approved, E.ON said the power station would be operational by 2012 and provide energy for 1.5 million homes.If approved, E.ON said the power station would be operational by 2012 and provide energy for 1.5 million homes.