The Excel conference centre in East London is currently witnessing the build-up of police and military security in the lead-up to the controversial arms fair, the Defence Systems and Equipment international (DSEi) which is being hosted at the centre from 11 to 14 September.
From the south side of the centre across a body of water called the Royal Victoria Dock on the evening of Monday 10 September Indymedia journalists saw three named naval vessels (HMS Lancaster; HMS Pembroke and HMS Triton) moored alongside an unnamed craft. All the vessels were viewable at a distance of about 100 metres. HMS Lancaster - the largest of the vessels - was carrying an EH101 attack helicopter and HMS Triton showed the latest anti-radar design. An armed soldier was seen to be guarding the helicopter. A footbridge which links the south side of the dock to the centre itself is shut for 'repairs' and a police van was stationed nearby.
Top military officials from a number of countries including Nigeria, Pakistan and China will attend the event which is Europe's biggest arms fair. There are no real ways for the UK Government to control how the weapons that are sold by UK-based manufacturers are used. Large numbers of the weapons currently being used by child soldiers in Sierra Leone, for example, are manufactured in the UK.
A number of TV journalists and photographers were also spotted on the south side of the conference centre.
Around the extended 2-metre-high security fence there were a number of police vans. It is understood that authorities are worried that protesters may bring adjustable spanners in order to try and dismantle the flimsy mesh fencing structures.
It was still possible to pass by foot into the compound car park bypassing nearby security. A number of staff who were leaving the building explained that security is high and that police and military personnel are active and in great numbers within the structure.
None of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations are closed though hi-vis jacket-wearing security are present at every station. It is not clear how authorities are planning to monitor peoples' movements either at DLR stations, across the many roads which lead to the north of the centre or from the crucial City Airport access roads which - it is believed - will ferry many of the international arms dealers and buyers to the event.
So far three events will attract cyclists from the Critical Mass cycle activist group, demonstrators from the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) and various other groups protesting at the internaional arms trade in which the UK plays a crucial role.