Police tackle defence base protest

Demonstrators climbed fences topped with razor wire

A police operation has started to try to remove about 40 peace protesters occupying a major British defence site in North Yorkshire.

But removing the demonstrators from the Menwith Hill base, near Harrogate, is expected to take some time.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that up to 150 demonstrators entered the base earlier on Monday. A number then scaled buildings and chained themselves in place.

Greenpeace, which organised the protest, says it is aimed at exposing what it says is the site's proposed role in America's 'Star Wars' missile defence system.

Some arrests have been made

The specialist police units, sent from Scotland, are being deployed to remove protesters who have secured themselves to the top of a water tower and the roof of another building.

Police have reportedly told Greenpeace that they intend to remove all the demonstrators in this attempt.

The riot vans were accompanied by two vehicles carrying paramedics.

Ministry of Defence police said four people were arrested in scuffles at the front gate earlier in the day.

Three police officers have also been treated after sustaining minor injuries, but are now said to be back on duty.

'Dangerous plan'

Activists say they encountered little resistance when entering the site at 0500BST.

Some chained themselves to buildings or hid around the site, while others demonstrated by the main gate as employees arrived for work.

Earlier, protester Helen Wallace told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that she was among the group chained to the water tower.

Protesters gathered by the main gate of the site

"There are around 20 people here on top of the tower, and other people chained down below," she said.

"We are going to stay here continuing to make our point that Menwith Hill is part of Bush's dangerous Star Wars plan."

Greenpeace says one group of protesters walked straight through the main gate playing the Mission Impossible theme tune.

Some carried flags emblazoned with the message "Star Wars Starts Wars", while others dressed as missiles.

Other teams scaled three-metre fences topped with razor wire to get in.

'Direct action'

Protester Eleanor Gordon, 30, of Manchester said: "About 30 went in through the main gates. There were only one or two security guards on duty and they were just overwhelmed.

"The protest may seem drastic but the effects of the Star Wars programme could be so devastating for the world that only direct action will do."

Greenpeace UK executive director Stephen Tindale, who is at Menwith Hill, said President George Bush's proposed missile defence programme was "a disaster".

President Bush wants to use Menwith Hill for missile defence

He called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to turn down American requests to use UK-based sites at Menwith Hill and Fylingdales, North Yorkshire.

He said President Bush needed the two sites as the "eyes and ears" of his planned Star Wars system.

"But Bush can't install the system without Tony Blair's approval.

"We urge Mr Blair not to kowtow to Bush on such a crucial issue. He must say no to UK involvement."

He said Greenpeace had been planning the operation to enter the base for six months, but added that he had been surprised at "how easy it was to get in".

"We decided to do it today because we thought tomorrow, being American Independence Day, they would be expecting us."