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/nottinghamshire/7997598.stm

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

Version 1 Version 2
Power station protesters released Power station protesters released
(30 minutes later)
All 114 protesters arrested in connection with a suspected plan to protest at a Nottinghamshire power station have been released on bail.All 114 protesters arrested in connection with a suspected plan to protest at a Nottinghamshire power station have been released on bail.
They were held in Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass and criminal damage.They were held in Sneinton Dale, Nottingham, on Monday on suspicion of conspiracy to commit aggravated trespass and criminal damage.
Police said the group posed a "serious threat" to a nearby coal-fired power station at Ratcliffe-On-Soar. Police said the group was planning to cause "prolonged disruption" at nearby Ratcliffe-On-Soar power station.
Officers said a "large amount" of evidence was being reviewed. Nottinghamshire Police said a "large amount" of evidence was being reviewed.
A force spokeswoman said: "From the information gathered, police believe that those arrested were planning a period of prolonged disruption to the safe running of Ratcliffe-On-Soar power station."
No-one has been charged with any offence.No-one has been charged with any offence.
Police said equipment including bolt-cutters was found and they feared a threat to the safety of the site, which is run by the energy company Eon. More than 200 officers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire and British Transport Police took part in the raid at the Iona School shortly after midnight on Monday.
It's got to change. Stop burning fossil fuel Bob AndrewsEastside Climate Action The scale of it makes people think we are dealing with a major terrorist incident Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson
The plant, which is eight miles south-west of Nottingham, has seen protests by environmental campaigners in the past, including members of Eastside Climate Action. There were no reported injuries and local residents said handcuffed suspects sang loudly as they were led away.
Police said "specialist equipment" including bolt-cutters was found and they feared a threat to the safety of the site, which is run by the energy company Eon.
Officers also said that some of those arrested have links to climate change groups which had protested Kingsnorth power station in Kent, Heathrow Airport and Drax power station in north Yorkshire.
However, police would not name any organisations.
Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson raised concerns over the nature of the policing operation.
'Proportionate response'
"The scale of it makes people think we are dealing with a major terrorist incident," he said.
"We understand there were 200 officers involved and my instinctive reaction to that is to say, well there must be something to do with plans to blow something up, to commit a major disruption of society.
"My worry is that what we are talking about, in practice, something much smaller."
Supt Mike Manley from Nottinghamshire Police said: "We believe this was a proportionate response to the risk.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"It is not for me to comment on the motivation of the protesters but we know from experience that such protests can lead to prolonged policing operations, putting police, protesters and staff at risk."
The power plant, which is eight miles south-west of Nottingham, has seen protests by environmental campaigners in the past, including members of Eastside Climate Action.
While denying any connection with the latest incident, Bob Andrews, from the group, insisted direct action was the only way to bring about a change in energy policy.While denying any connection with the latest incident, Bob Andrews, from the group, insisted direct action was the only way to bring about a change in energy policy.
He said: "What we've got at the moment is the government and Eon addicted to carrying on burning coal because they want to keep the status quo and keep the profits flowing.He said: "What we've got at the moment is the government and Eon addicted to carrying on burning coal because they want to keep the status quo and keep the profits flowing.
'Nonsensical approach''Nonsensical approach'
"And we're saying we've got to change policy, and they're not doing it."And we're saying we've got to change policy, and they're not doing it.
"They're not taking the science seriously. It's got to change. Stop burning fossil fuel.""They're not taking the science seriously. It's got to change. Stop burning fossil fuel."
David Porter, chief executive of the Association of Electricity Producers, said campaigners' calls to stop burning fossil fuels made no sense.David Porter, chief executive of the Association of Electricity Producers, said campaigners' calls to stop burning fossil fuels made no sense.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"If you suddenly close down our power stations that would be a suicidal policy."If you suddenly close down our power stations that would be a suicidal policy.
"The economy of the UK would be seriously disrupted. And there would be social implications of that."The economy of the UK would be seriously disrupted. And there would be social implications of that.
"It's a nonsensical approach to the problem.""It's a nonsensical approach to the problem."
More than 200 officers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire and British Transport Police took part in the raid at the Iona School shortly after midnight on Monday.
There were no reported injuries and local residents said handcuffed suspects sang loudly as they were led away.