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Climate Camp targets biofuel site Climate Camp targets biofuel site
(21 minutes later)
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.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.
Eight protesters who blocked the road to the Vopak depot in Thurrock were arrested. Four chained themselves to a fuel storage tank and were arrested.Eight protesters who blocked the road to the Vopak depot in Thurrock were arrested. Four chained themselves to a fuel storage tank and were arrested.
Protesters said they had blocked lorries from the site but police said the disruption had now ended.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.Vopak said its primary concern was for the safe removal of the protesters.
The climate activists are concerned about the impact petrol or diesel made from plant materials are having on the environment. The climate activists are concerned about the impact petrol and diesel, made from plant materials, are having on the environment.
Our primary concern is for the safety of the people on the site and security of our terminal Craig Garbutt, VorpakOur primary concern is for the safety of the people on the site and security of our terminal Craig Garbutt, Vorpak
"Far from being a solution to climate change, agrofuels are so damaging they make petroleum look green," said Climate Camp spokesman George Monbiot."Far from being a solution to climate change, agrofuels are so damaging they make petroleum look green," said Climate Camp spokesman George Monbiot.
"They threaten both to accelerate climate change and to trigger a global humanitarian disaster.""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.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," he said."Our primary concern is for the safety of the people on the site and security of our terminal," he said.
Other climate protests have been staged at Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, and outside a bank in London. Other climate protests have been staged around the south-east.
Stop and searchStop and search
Fifteen people lay in a pool of oil to stage a "mass death" scene outside the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland, protesting against investment in fossil fuel expansion.Fifteen people lay in a pool of oil to stage a "mass death" scene outside the headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland, protesting against investment in fossil fuel expansion.
At Gatwick Airport, two protesters unfurled a banner in the South Terminal arrivals lounge, but were asked to leave by security.At Gatwick Airport, two protesters unfurled a banner in the South Terminal arrivals lounge, but were asked to leave by security.
And at the airport's railway station, two climate camp activists climbed on to the roof of a railway station and unfurled a banner there. And at the airport's railway station, two activists were arrested after climbing on to the roof of a railway station and unfurling a banner.
British Transport Police said they were arrested for trespassing and taken to Crawley police station.
On Thursday, camp organisers said numbers on the site near Kingsnorth power station, Hoo, had reached "unprecedented levels".On Thursday, camp organisers said numbers on the site near Kingsnorth power station, Hoo, had reached "unprecedented levels".
They claim that about 1,500 people have now joined the camp to to show their opposition to E.ON's plans for a coal-fired unit on the site. They claim about 1,500 people have now joined the camp, to show their opposition to E.ON's plans for a coal-fired unit on the site.
Kent Police announced on Thursday afternoon that discretionary powers to stop and search people had been extended to the whole of the Hoo peninsula. Kent Police have said discretionary powers to stop and search people had been extended to the whole of the Hoo peninsula, after people carrying potential weapons were found.
The force said it had taken the step because officers had found people "carrying items that could be used as weapons". Another 22 people have been arrested at the 1,000-strong camp near the Kingsnorth power station.
Riot gear
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.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. Police said clashes followed concerns about safety access to the campsiteSeven people were arrested on Wednesday at the camp in Hoo, where protesters are opposing a plan to build a new coal-fired power station. Police said clashes followed concerns about safety access to the campsite
Demonstrators want to stop E.ON UK replacing the existing Kingsnorth plant with the coal-fired station. Among those arrested include one on on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage, two on suspicion of theft and one on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
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.
A 20-year-old man was charged with possessing a knife.
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.
Police in riot gear and protesters clashed at the Climate Camp in Dux Court Road on Monday.
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 1.5m homes.