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| 'Troublemakers' claim at protest | 'Troublemakers' claim at protest |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The protests at Heathrow Airport have been infiltrated by troublemakers with a history of attending other protests, a senior police officer has claimed. | The protests at Heathrow Airport have been infiltrated by troublemakers with a history of attending other protests, a senior police officer has claimed. |
| Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said many of them would be happy to have a confrontation with the police. | Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said many of them would be happy to have a confrontation with the police. |
| But protest organisers denied his claims, describing them as "ludicrous" and "part of a smear campaign". | But protest organisers denied his claims, describing them as "ludicrous" and "part of a smear campaign". |
| Meanwhile, 10 people have been arrested after chaining themselves to the gates of Biggin Hill Airport, south London. | |
| Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp | Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp |
| The protesters at Heathrow want its planned expansion halted because, they say, it will contribute to climate change. | The protesters at Heathrow want its planned expansion halted because, they say, it will contribute to climate change. |
| Growing tension between campaigners and police at the Camp for Climate Action has seen attempts to increase police numbers blocked. | Growing tension between campaigners and police at the Camp for Climate Action has seen attempts to increase police numbers blocked. |
| Mr Ghaffur said the mood of the demonstration had changed on Tuesday, and the hard core protestors would go in for confrontation if they became frustrated. | Mr Ghaffur said the mood of the demonstration had changed on Tuesday, and the hard core protestors would go in for confrontation if they became frustrated. |
| But Paul Sumburn, a spokesman for the camp, said: "This is part of a concerted smear campaign against us. | But Paul Sumburn, a spokesman for the camp, said: "This is part of a concerted smear campaign against us. |
| "There was no talk of confrontation in our action discussion. | "There was no talk of confrontation in our action discussion. |
| "The idea that the camp has been infiltrated is ludicrous. It's funny that these infiltrators only talk to police and undercover journalists." | "The idea that the camp has been infiltrated is ludicrous. It's funny that these infiltrators only talk to police and undercover journalists." |
| About 1,800 officers are to be deployed on Sunday and Monday, when the main demonstrations are planned. | About 1,800 officers are to be deployed on Sunday and Monday, when the main demonstrations are planned. |
| So far there have been 21 arrests. | So far there have been 21 arrests. |
| Organisers expect up to 2,000 people to take part in the protest at the camp this weekend, between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London. | Organisers expect up to 2,000 people to take part in the protest at the camp this weekend, between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter in west London. |
| About 1,800 officers from Surrey police, Thames Valley police, the Metropolitan police, and British Transport Police will oversee the event. | About 1,800 officers from Surrey police, Thames Valley police, the Metropolitan police, and British Transport Police will oversee the event. |
| Airport operator BAA has obtained a High Court injunction banning certain protest groups from the airport | Airport operator BAA has obtained a High Court injunction banning certain protest groups from the airport |
| Protestors say the first few days will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action. | Protestors say the first few days will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action. |
| But a website supporting the camp has also promised acts of "civil disobedience". | But a website supporting the camp has also promised acts of "civil disobedience". |
| Police say the protesters are on the site - a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - illegally. | Police say the protesters are on the site - a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - illegally. |
| The campaigners insist they cannot be evicted without a court order as long as no criminal damage is committed. | The campaigners insist they cannot be evicted without a court order as long as no criminal damage is committed. |
| A fifth terminal will open at Heathrow in March 2008 and a new runway has been proposed by the government for about 2020. | A fifth terminal will open at Heathrow in March 2008 and a new runway has been proposed by the government for about 2020. |
| Return | Return |
| Are you among the protesters, an airport employee or local resident? How do you feel about the protests? Send us your comments and experiences. | Are you among the protesters, an airport employee or local resident? How do you feel about the protests? Send us your comments and experiences. |