Demo police 'spied' on magistrate

More than 1,500 took part in the Climate Camp in Kent

A magistrate has complained that he was targeted by police intelligence teams ahead of the 2008 Kingsnorth power station protest, the BBC has learned.

Richard Knox-Johnston was one of several local residents photographed leaving a public meeting discussing climate change near Chatham.

"I was amazed," said Mr Knox-Johnston, chairman of the Kent branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

The police defended their actions, citing the risk of "some outburst".

"I went to a meeting... attended mostly by young people, to inform them about climate change throughout the world, and particularly about the use of coal-fired power stations in Texas," Mr Knox-Johnston told BBC Radio 4's The Report.

Police surveillance

The meeting took place a week before the climate change camp, which took place near the nearby Kingsnorth coal-fired power station.

"When I got there my number plate was noted and my photograph was taken, and I couldn't understand why this was necessary, bearing in mind it was a very friendly and open meeting," Mr Knox-Johnston added.

We do collect information in a discreet way so if there is some problem we know who to investigate Allyn Thomas, assistant chief constable, Kent Police

He said he only discovered that the surveillance had taken place after the meeting.

"I found it difficult to believe," he said.

He added, "I try and keep away from protests, for obvious reasons."

The police argue they were engaged in a legitimate intelligence gathering operation in advance of the climate change camp.

'Prudent'

Mr Knox-Johnston wrote to the police expressing his concern and those of other residents.

"The response I got was that they were concerned about a major threat and therefore they have to take all necessary action with intelligence both around the meetings and the climate change camp itself."

He said he was unhappy with their response, and added: "I think the whole camp was very over-policed."

But Allyn Thomas, Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police, defended the force's strategy:

"Because we know people feel very strongly about these environmental concerns, there is the possibility that there will be some outburst, whether it's just unpleasantness or criminality.

"So to be on the prudent side, we do collect information in a discreet way so if there is some problem we know who to investigate," he added.

The Report will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 7 May at 2000 BST. You can also listen via the BBC iPlayer or download the podcast.