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| Activists breach airport security | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Four people have been arrested after more than 50 protesters broke into a secure area of Stansted airport. | Four people have been arrested after more than 50 protesters broke into a secure area of Stansted airport. |
| Climate action group Plane Stupid said it began the protest at 0315 GMT by occupying an area near the runway as it was closed for maintenance work. | |
| The group said it was protesting over greenhouse gas emissions and intended to stop the runway reopening. | |
| Police said they had contained the area where the protestors were and would "deal with them in due course". | Police said they had contained the area where the protestors were and would "deal with them in due course". |
| Bolt cutters | Bolt cutters |
| An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "About 50 protesters have gained access to Stansted Airport and they are airside. We have arrested four people so far." | An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "About 50 protesters have gained access to Stansted Airport and they are airside. We have arrested four people so far." |
| A spokeswoman for the group said the activists were chained together and had surrounded themselves with security fencing. | |
| One of the activists taking part, Lily Kember, 21, said they had forced their way in using bolt cutters. | One of the activists taking part, Lily Kember, 21, said they had forced their way in using bolt cutters. |
| "It's a bit cold, but everyone is in good spirits," she said. Nothing scares us as much as the threat of runaway climate change Climate protester | "It's a bit cold, but everyone is in good spirits," she said. Nothing scares us as much as the threat of runaway climate change Climate protester |
| Plane Stupid said on its website the protesters intended to occupy the area for as long as possible. | |
| One protester, whose full name was not given, said: "We're here because our parents' generation has failed us and it's now down to young people to stop climate change by whatever peaceful means we have left." | One protester, whose full name was not given, said: "We're here because our parents' generation has failed us and it's now down to young people to stop climate change by whatever peaceful means we have left." |
| She added: "We're afraid of what the police might do to us, we're afraid of going to jail but nothing scares us as much as the threat of runaway climate change." | She added: "We're afraid of what the police might do to us, we're afraid of going to jail but nothing scares us as much as the threat of runaway climate change." |
| In October controversial plans for an expansion of Stansted Airport were given the go-ahead by the government. | In October controversial plans for an expansion of Stansted Airport were given the go-ahead by the government. |
| Airport owner BAA wants to increase passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million a year and flights leaving the airport from 241,000 to 264,000 a year. | Airport owner BAA wants to increase passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million a year and flights leaving the airport from 241,000 to 264,000 a year. |
| Objectors say an expansion would damage the environment, but some unions said the proposal could bring new jobs. | Objectors say an expansion would damage the environment, but some unions said the proposal could bring new jobs. |
| Are you in the area? Tell us what you have witnessed using the form below: | Are you in the area? Tell us what you have witnessed using the form below: |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |