Police raid 'anarchist' base

A worldwide day of protest is expected on May Day 2001

Police officers have carried out a dawn raid on a disused factory thought to be an anarchist training centre.

Scotland Yard believe it was being used to prepare for violent demonstrations in London on May Day.

They swooped at dawn on a disused factory to disrupt an anarchist "training weekend" believed to be a key point of preparations for trouble.

Scotland Yard is on full alert

Bailiffs acting for the owner of the Button Factory in Wanless Road, Herne Hill Lane, south east London, executed an eviction order at the address, supported by officers from the Metropolitan, City and British Transport Police forces.

As anticipated, nobody was at the address when the bailiffs executed the early morning warrant after which police were invited in by the owners and a quantity of material was removed, the Yard said.

The owner, using his own staff and plant machinery, then made the building uninhabitable.

Heightened security

The site was secured by the owner and a police presence will be maintained in the area to ensure community safety, the Yard said.

Officers are expecting a significant number of violent anarchists to descend on London in the first week of May during a prolonged anti-capitalist protest.

Metropolitan Commissioner Sir John Stevens said intelligence suggested activists would target police, government buildings and commercial institutions on May Day and the following days.

"There are indications that a sizeable minority of protesters are bent on violence towards the police, commercial institutions and government buildings," Sir John said.

"During this time I have cancelled leave for all uniformed officers and intelligence gathering continues."

Last year's riots caused massive disruption and thousands of pounds worth of damage was done to property, including the Cenotaph. Dozens of people were arrested.