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| Fisherman attacked by French say 'bring in the navy' | Fisherman attacked by French say 'bring in the navy' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| English fishermen are calling for Royal Navy protection after claims they were attacked by French vessels. | English fishermen are calling for Royal Navy protection after claims they were attacked by French vessels. |
| The incident is said to have taken place on Monday in international waters 15 miles off Caen in a dispute over scallop beds. | The incident is said to have taken place on Monday in international waters 15 miles off Caen in a dispute over scallop beds. |
| Kevin Lochrane, from East Sussex, said he was surrounded by seven or eights boats who tried to stop him fishing. | Kevin Lochrane, from East Sussex, said he was surrounded by seven or eights boats who tried to stop him fishing. |
| Clinton Powell, from Devon, said: "Something has got to be done and we need naval protection." | Clinton Powell, from Devon, said: "Something has got to be done and we need naval protection." |
| Other British crewmen said they were also surrounded by the French fishermen, who they said tried to damage their gear. | Other British crewmen said they were also surrounded by the French fishermen, who they said tried to damage their gear. |
| 'Called for assistance' | 'Called for assistance' |
| Anton Bailey, from Brixham, claimed four French boats "threw rocks and tried to ram us". | Anton Bailey, from Brixham, claimed four French boats "threw rocks and tried to ram us". |
| Mr Lochrane, from Newhaven, said he had to call his crew off the deck "as it was unsafe". | Mr Lochrane, from Newhaven, said he had to call his crew off the deck "as it was unsafe". |
| "I called other vessels for assistance and when they arrived they had ropes fired at them too, and nets and ropes were put in the water to disable us." | "I called other vessels for assistance and when they arrived they had ropes fired at them too, and nets and ropes were put in the water to disable us." |
| He said the French fishing protection vessel refused to intervene. | He said the French fishing protection vessel refused to intervene. |
| "I've been at sea for 20 years and never seen anything like it," Mr Lochrane said. | "I've been at sea for 20 years and never seen anything like it," Mr Lochrane said. |
| "Our worry is if this all kicks off again then we're not getting any help from anybody. | "Our worry is if this all kicks off again then we're not getting any help from anybody. |
| "Maybe we could have our own naval vessel to assist us if this should ever happen again." | "Maybe we could have our own naval vessel to assist us if this should ever happen again." |
| 'Looks like premeditation' | 'Looks like premeditation' |
| Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker, who is MP for Lewes, said: "So far unverified reports suggest that up to 40 French boats surrounded five British vessels who appeared to be fishing legally, albeit in French waters. | Liberal Democrat Transport Minister Norman Baker, who is MP for Lewes, said: "So far unverified reports suggest that up to 40 French boats surrounded five British vessels who appeared to be fishing legally, albeit in French waters. |
| "That looks like premeditation and attempt to intimidate. Clearly we have to establish the facts. | "That looks like premeditation and attempt to intimidate. Clearly we have to establish the facts. |
| "I will be raising this with Defra so that they can discuss it with their French counterparts." | |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency contacted French coastguards, who sent a patrol vessel to the area and said the French authorities were "continuing to monitor the situation". | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency contacted French coastguards, who sent a patrol vessel to the area and said the French authorities were "continuing to monitor the situation". |
| No-one has been available for comment from the French fishing authorities. | No-one has been available for comment from the French fishing authorities. |
| Mr Powell, who was fishing onboard The Golden Fleece Two, said: "None of our skippers could get away with it, we'd be locked up and legal action taken right away." | Mr Powell, who was fishing onboard The Golden Fleece Two, said: "None of our skippers could get away with it, we'd be locked up and legal action taken right away." |