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Charges after Climate Camp clash 'Weapons stash' near Climate Camp
(10 minutes later)
At least four people have been charged after police and protesters clashed at the Climate Camp in Kent. A "stash of knives and weapons" has been found near the Climate Camp in Kent, police have said.
Nine arrests were made in total at the camp near Kingsnorth power station on the Hoo peninsula. Officers said they recovered the weapons from a wooded area by the camp on the Hoo peninsula on Monday, after protesters and police clashed.
Police said the clashes followed concerns about emergency access to the site and added that about 1,000 people, including families, were staying there.
By Tuesday morning, 12 people had been arrested at the camp and seven charged.
'No justification'
Officers said the weapons included an adapted knife, replica throwing star, knife block containing knives and a large chain with a padlock.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: "There is no justification whatsoever for having these weapons."
The police chief said officers went to the site in Dux Court Road on Monday after asking activists to keep access routes to the field clear.
Protesters want to halt plans for a coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth power station
He said: "It is absolutely essential that ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles can get on and off the site in case of emergency and that the site can be evacuated if the need arises.
"We will not compromise on safety."
About 500 activists have gathered on a field about two miles from the power plant in a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired unit.About 500 activists have gathered on a field about two miles from the power plant in a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired unit.
A spokeswoman for Kent Police said officers were expecting to release details of further charges later. Activists 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.
The three men and one woman were charged on Monday night and bailed to appear before magistrates in Chatham on 28 August.
On Monday night, five people remained in police custody, two on suspicion of public order offences, one on suspicion of obstructing a police officer, one on suspicion of breaching the peace, and one on suspicion of breaching bail conditions.Protesters want to halt plans for a coal-fired unit at Kingsnorth power station
The confrontation happened following negotiations between police and camp organisers about a "lack of safe access or emergency exit routes" from the protest site.
There had been a 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 Court Road.
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.
Kent Police has said it has 1,400 officers from 26 forces on standby while the Climate Camp remains.
Activisists 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 scheme and the final decision will be made by the government.Medway Council has approved the scheme 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.