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Climate Camp arrests rise to 23 Climate protesters target depot
(about 3 hours later)
Five more people have been arrested at the Climate Camp in Kent where protesters are opposing a plan to build a new coal-fired power station. Environment demonstrators have targeted a biofuel depot in Essex as part of a week-long Climate Camp being held across the River Thames in Kent.
Police said a total of eight people were arrested on Wednesday, bringing the number held at the 1,000-strong camp since last week to 23. Eight protesters who blocked the road to the Vopak depot in Thurrock were arrested. Four others have chained themselves to a fuel storage tank.
Eleven people have been charged and two have received cautions. Protesters said they had blocked lorries from the site but police said the disruption had now ended.
Vopak said its primary concern was for the safe removal of the protesters.
The climate activists are concerned about the impact that petrol or diesel made from plant materials are having on the environment.
"Far from being a solution to climate change, agrofuels are so damaging they make petroleum look green," said spokesman George Monbiot.
"They threaten both to accelerate climate change and to trigger a global humanitarian disaster."
Vopak's UK operations manager, Craig Garbutt, said he could not comment on the protesters' personal views.
"Our primary concern is for the safety of the people on the site and security of our terminal."
Coal-fired power
Another 22 people have been arrested at the 1,000-strong camp near the Kingsnorth power station, which got under way last week.
In all, 14 have been charged and two have received cautions.
Seven people were arrested on Wednesday at the camp in Hoo, where protesters are opposing a plan to build a new coal-fired power station.
Demonstrators want to stop E.ON UK replacing the existing Kingsnorth plant with the coal-fired station.Demonstrators want to stop E.ON UK replacing the existing Kingsnorth plant with the coal-fired station.
Among those arrested on Wednesday was a 21-year-old woman from Hertfordshire held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.Among those arrested on Wednesday was a 21-year-old woman from Hertfordshire held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage.
Two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of theft, one 34-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting police, and a woman, also 34, on suspicion of driving while disqualified.Two men in their 20s were arrested on suspicion of theft, one 34-year-old man on suspicion of assaulting police, and a woman, also 34, on suspicion of driving while disqualified.
A 20-year-old man was charged with possessing a knife.A 20-year-old man was charged with possessing a knife.
Police said clashes followed concerns about safety access to the campsite
A two-hour meeting was held on Wednesday between police officers and activists in an effort to improve their relationship.A two-hour meeting was held on Wednesday between police officers and activists in an effort to improve their relationship.
'Protest lawfully'
Police in riot gear and protesters clashed at the Climate Camp in Dux Court Road on Monday.Police in riot gear and protesters clashed at the Climate Camp in Dux Court Road on Monday.
After the meeting, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: "I would hope that we can continue to work with the organisers to police the site in a way that satisfies both ourselves and the people attending.
"Our message remains very clear. We will police the event proportionately so that the people attending it can protest lawfully. "
Bradley Day from the Climate Camp liaison said he was still waiting for a clear message from the force about what it wanted.
"They did not express an interest to come on the site for the first 24 hours and then they came on the site with violence, seizing essential health and safety items," he said.
Police said clashes followed concerns about safety access to the campsite
"They have told us they are willing to accept that two officers can be on the site. They have not been able to guarantee that they will not raid the site again. "
The activists have gathered on a field two miles from the power plant in a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired unit.The activists have gathered on a field two miles from the power plant in a week-long protest against plans for a coal-fired unit.
Protesters are aiming to shut down Kingsnorth power station this weekend.Protesters are aiming to shut down Kingsnorth power station this weekend.
E.ON UK claims the coal-fired unit will be 20% cleaner.E.ON UK claims the coal-fired unit 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 would provide energy for 1.5 million homes.If approved, E.ON said the power station would be operational by 2012 and would provide energy for 1.5 million homes.