Controversy has flared recently in Kent at the scene of a climate camp opposing Kingsnorth power station near Hoo St Werburgh, after police claimed they had found a large stash of weapons near the camp. There is speculation that a small number of the protesters had secreted these weapons with the intent of using them on patrolling horses, dogs, or the officers themselves, but spokesman Kevin Smith from the climate camp vehemently denies such claims.

He said “It’s horrible, the smear campaign that has been launched against us in an attempt to discredit us” – and the police have admitted that “they had no firm evidence the weapons belonged to protesters or were to be used against officers”.

A number of website resources suggest that the police presence has been particularly heavy-handed. UK Indymedia has taken a very dim view of the ‘Pocket Legislation Guide on Policing Protest’ document found at Kingsnorth, which gives an overview of legislation the police can use to stifle all forms of legitimate protest. Teacherdude meanwhile hints that he has not been impressed with the law enforcement actions either “Actions which have included the confiscation by the police of items such as board games and crayons”.

But are these protestors justified in holding their vigil over a mile away from the power station? Or is it a tense standoff robbing the taxpayer of money, and threatening uneeded violence?

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