Since imposing a section 60 order around the area of Drax power station and the squatted field containing the camp for climate action, police have been stopping and searching all vehicles and people entering or leaving the area. While claiming that this is about preventing weapons being taken on site, the reality of the situation is very different.

Legal obersevers are reporting incrediable abuse of police powers to seize property. In one incident a fork was taken from a tuperware box of food taken from a camper entering the site - appartently it was a weapon. In another example, a metal tracking mount for solar panels was taking on the basis that it might be used as a weapon. Even more outrageous, in another incident, police diassembled a mobile phone and when asked why they said it was because the phone might contain a gun!

Any knife found is being seized, regardless of the context. Bearing in mind that the campers are camping, it is not unreasonable for people to have folding pocket knifes etc but police have been any to justify their behavior by making a couple of arrests and issueing press statements about their alledges finds.



Nether-the-less, the arrests