More than 50 protesters arrested over plans to build coal-fired power station

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Up to 2,000 people gathered at Kingsnorth Power Station near Hoo to demonstrate against plans to create a new generation of coal-fired electricity plants.

Most were arrested for obstruction but one was held for assaulting a police officer and another for possessing a knife.

Demo: A campaigner is dragged away

The environmental campaigners were allowed a one-hour peaceful protest outside the gates of the power station before being dispersed.

Although most returned to their camp nearby, about 20 refused to leave the entrance to the power station and formed a human chain in front of the gates.

After an hour-long standoff, they were removed by police in riot gear who carried them away to waiting vans.

Police restrain a protester in front of the gates of Kingsnorth Power Station

Earlier, 123 protesters who tried to breach the station’s perimeter in boats were rescued from the River Medway by police.

Several were arrested. Kent Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: ‘They were rowing against Force 6 winds and were at risk of hypothermia.’

He confirmed that over the course of the week-long protest there had been more than 100 arrests. ‘I don’t believe it was heavy-handed. We tried to provide a proportional response.

‘The march from the climate camp to the assembly point at the power plant in the main was peaceful and orderly.’