Climate camp seeks police review

Police made 100 arrests during the week-long Climate Camp

The organisers of the climate change camp in Kent have applied for a judicial review of the powers used by police at the event in August.

They are seeking to challenge the force's use of stop and search powers at the High Court.

More than 1,000 officers were involved in policing at the camp near E.On's Kingsnorth power station.

Kent Police said at the time that the aim was to protect residents, police and the protesters.

Discretionary powers to allow police to stop and search people were extended to the whole of the Hoo peninsula during the protest against the building of coal-fired power stations.

The idea that all 3000 campers, including children and pensioners, looked like criminals is simply ludicrous Sarah Macauley

Last week Norman Baker, MP for Lewes, East Sussex, called for an independent inquiry into policing at the camp near E.On's Kingsnorth power station.

But police minister Vernon Coaker said he believed the police had "struck the right balance" at the week-long event.

Sarah Macauley from the Climate Camp, said: "This year the police presence at the camp was oppressive and clearly designed to intimidate attendees and inhibit our rights to protest against the causes of climate change.

"Climate Camp will not be bullied. We are organised and intend to pursue this illegitimate use of the law, especially when it impacts on the rights of the younger generation who will have to live with the consequences of catastrophic climate change."

She added: "To use this law the police are obliged to have reasonable suspicion. The idea that all 3000 campers, including children and pensioners, looked like criminals is simply ludicrous."

Kent Police said it would not be commenting about the climate camp organiser's action.

Of the 100 people arrested, 46 were charged with offences ranging from obstruction and public order offences to the possession of a bladed weapon.

The current Kingsnorth power station is due to close in 2015 and E.On wants to replace it with two new coal units which, it claims, will be 20% cleaner.