From Chief Constable Michael Fuller, Kent Police - 27 March 2009

Last week the Chief Constable decided to make a voluntary referral of the policing of the Climate Camp demonstration at Kingsnorth last summer to the IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission).

They have decided this should be dealt with by Kent Police's Professional Standards Department, and those of other forces involved in the operation.

In addition the Chief Constable has requested the National Police Improvement Agency carry out a strategic level review of the policing of Climate Camp. This will be conducted by a senior officer from another force and will involve the consideration of the issues raised in the report published by the Liberal Democrat party regarding the overall policing of this event, as well as the strategy and tactics used in the operation.

Mr Fuller said: 'Climate Camp was a concerted, and publicly declared, attempt by some protestors to break into Kingsnorth Power Station and stop power supplies to more than 300,000 people in Kent. The majority of residents in the county have been very supportive of our actions in stopping this from happening, whilst allowing a lawful protest to take place. We can always learn and improve the way we handle the policing of large scale events, and I believe that this review will assist both Kent Police and other forces when they are faced with similar protests in the future.'

Ann Barnes, Chair of the Kent Police Authority said: 'The Police Authority welcomes the Chief Constable's decision to commission this review. We recognise the importance of securing the appropriate balance between security and the democratic right to a peaceful protest. A nominated member of the Authority will be working with the review team to help strengthen the emphasis on public accountability. We look forward to considering the review findings in due course.'

From Allyn Thomas, Assistant Chief Constable (Specialist Operations), Kent Police 

'There has been much comment in the last few weeks about the police use of powers and the cost of policing last summer's Climate Camp protest.

'Whilst most of those attending were clearly well intentioned and law abiding, it was clear that a minority were committed to closing down the Power Station with the attendant risk to life and loss of power to 300,000 people.

'It was difficult to balance the interests of protestors with the company that owns the power plant and the local community, but much of the expense arose from our efforts to let the demonstration proceed - not to stop it. The camp itself was an illegal mass trespass on fields that expelled the tenant farmer and his sheep, and was against the expressed wishes of the landowner. We could have sought immediate repossession of the land and stopped the camp there and then, but did not in order to support the right to protest. It was the police who facilitated a water supply to the camp and who put in place a traffic management plan that maintained access to the site.

'It was clear from the start of the camp that some items taken there were for criminal purposes including the majority of what we seized. These include grappling hooks, climbing equipment, bolt cutters and a range of locks and bolts. By seizing such items we could let the protest proceed, more confident that the Power Station could operate safe from attack. It is better to prevent criminality than to deal with its consequences.

'I believe the policing operation was a great success. We facilitated a protest camp and march, we only arrested 100 people and nobody was seriously injured or hurt, though 120 protestors were rescued from the River Medway.

'Kent Police's policy has always been to be open and transparent in everything we do and this is why we voluntarily reffered the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.'

• View a list of the items seized at the camp. 

Watch online

 Climate Camp - peaceful protest goes ahead (wmv)

 Climate Camp - protesters attempt to break into the grounds of the power station (wmv)

Posted on: Updated: 27 March 2009