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Newbury: illegal raids on protest camps
30 January 1996
Illegal raids were made this morning on a protester's camp on the route of the Newbury Bypass in a dramatic change of tactics by private security guards. Legal observers coordinated by Friends of the Earth report that security personnel removed protesters from their ground camps, dumped possessions 40 yards from tents and lit fires to smoke protesters out from trees. Plastic has been burnt on the fires leading to concerns about people's health and safety.
The camp raid took place at the north end of the route at the Gro-tan' camp in Swilly Copse. Police were present at the scene of the incident but took a hands off approach and did nothing to prevent illegal entry.
Lawyers advising Friends of the Earth and protesters say that the guard's action was illegal and that they have no right to interfere with protester's camps or their occupants without first having gained a possession order for the land from the High Court.
Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"The security guards are flagrantly breaking the law. The people living in the camps have every right to remain in peace until a possession order has been granted to the Highways Agency by the courts. They have no such order for this camp and those committing acts of criminal damage to protester's homes should be arrested at once".
ENDS
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
