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Students bussed in to join University of Sussex protest | Students bussed in to join University of Sussex protest |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Students from around the UK have joined a University of Sussex protest over the outsourcing of support services. | Students from around the UK have joined a University of Sussex protest over the outsourcing of support services. |
The university stepped up security on the Falmer Campus amid claims hundreds more demonstrators would support the six-week student sit-in. | The university stepped up security on the Falmer Campus amid claims hundreds more demonstrators would support the six-week student sit-in. |
Sussex Police said protesters had started to cause "significant damage" to Sussex House in an effort to gain entry, before breaking in. | Sussex Police said protesters had started to cause "significant damage" to Sussex House in an effort to gain entry, before breaking in. |
No arrests have been made, the spokesman said. | No arrests have been made, the spokesman said. |
Scores of students were bussed in from other universities to join their local counterparts. | Scores of students were bussed in from other universities to join their local counterparts. |
'Coins thrown' | 'Coins thrown' |
Supt Grenville Wilson said: "The protest initially started out as peaceful and police were able to support the university security with neighbourhood policing officers and police liaison officers. | Supt Grenville Wilson said: "The protest initially started out as peaceful and police were able to support the university security with neighbourhood policing officers and police liaison officers. |
"When officers arrived at Sussex House there was some resistance to their presence and some coins were thrown," he said. | "When officers arrived at Sussex House there was some resistance to their presence and some coins were thrown," he said. |
"A large number of people were pushing towards the doors of Sussex House. | "A large number of people were pushing towards the doors of Sussex House. |
"At this point force could have been used, such as batons, by the officers but a decision was made for officers to step back from the situation for the safety of the protesters, university staff and the officers themselves." | "At this point force could have been used, such as batons, by the officers but a decision was made for officers to step back from the situation for the safety of the protesters, university staff and the officers themselves." |
He said the protesters then moved on to Bramber House, where a sit-in began more than six weeks ago. | He said the protesters then moved on to Bramber House, where a sit-in began more than six weeks ago. |
"The protest became peaceful again and officers were able to hand the security of the campus back to the university security team," he said. | "The protest became peaceful again and officers were able to hand the security of the campus back to the university security team," he said. |
"No arrests were made during the protest, however, a full investigation has now commenced to identify those responsible for any offences that were committed." | "No arrests were made during the protest, however, a full investigation has now commenced to identify those responsible for any offences that were committed." |
The occupation began in a conference room in Bramber House on 7 February following a 300-strong staff and student protest. | The occupation began in a conference room in Bramber House on 7 February following a 300-strong staff and student protest. |
Since the start of the sit-in over proposals to outsource 235 campus jobs, the students have said their action has gone from "strength to strength". | Since the start of the sit-in over proposals to outsource 235 campus jobs, the students have said their action has gone from "strength to strength". |
'Campaign growing' | 'Campaign growing' |
University officials have granted open access to the building between 08:00 and 22:00 GMT, while a number of high profile speakers and notable academics have given talks at "open lectures". | University officials have granted open access to the building between 08:00 and 22:00 GMT, while a number of high profile speakers and notable academics have given talks at "open lectures". |
A spokesman for the protesters said: "The way we started off was about encouraging people to use the space. | A spokesman for the protesters said: "The way we started off was about encouraging people to use the space. |
"At present, the campaign has such a high profile it is used as a space for dialogue, work and engagement. | "At present, the campaign has such a high profile it is used as a space for dialogue, work and engagement. |
"People want to see what we are doing, rather than us seeing what others are doing. | "People want to see what we are doing, rather than us seeing what others are doing. |
"We've got academics bringing their classes up - the campaign is growing day by day." | "We've got academics bringing their classes up - the campaign is growing day by day." |
John Duffy, registrar and secretary of the University of Sussex, said: "The violence at Sussex House and the attempt to disrupt the normal running of our campus is shocking and appalling. | |
"We condemn the damage caused. | |
"We cannot tolerate today's violent behaviour, for which there is no excuse. This sort of behaviour threatens the good order and running of the campus for our students and staff. | |
"We thank the police and our security teams for keeping staff, students and visitors safe. | |
"We're working with the police to assess the impact of the damage which has been caused in particular areas of the campus." | |
The university has said the transfer of some services to an external provider was an "ongoing process", and talks with unions and the staff involved were continuing. | The university has said the transfer of some services to an external provider was an "ongoing process", and talks with unions and the staff involved were continuing. |