Weapons found at eco-camp

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Speaking at a press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said that although the majority of protesters who have gathered at the Camp for Climate Action site near Hoo, Kent, were law-abiding, he believed that around 150 of the 1,000 expected to have amassed by the end of the week had more "sinister" intentions.

He made the comments after a number of weapons were seized and arrests were made at the site on Monday night.

Standing in front of an assortment of weapons that have been confiscated so far, Mr Beautridge said: "There is no justification whatsoever for having these weapons.

"I would suggest that a minority of people had hidden them with the intention of causing harm to police officers, and possibly to the horses or dogs that we are using on patrol.

"And if you look at the equipment we have seized, it is clear to me the plan was to use these items for criminal purposes.

"We are very, very worried about the intentions of a number of hardcore protesters, which we believe are around 150, who are committed to using criminal means to achieve their aims."

Among the items that were recovered was a 15in knife, a pointed throwing star, grappling irons, shields, kitchen knives and chains, many of which were found hidden in trees and undergrowth around the site.

Police filled a lorry with the confiscated goods, which also included less dangerous items, such as paddles and wetsuits, which they believed were planned to be used on Saturday when the protesters will take part in a day of mass action where they have vowed to "shut down" Kingsnorth power station.