Heathrow gears up for climate camp
Updated on 13 August 2007
BAA's injunction against direct action from campaigners on its land hasn't dissuaded Climate Change Campers from protest.
Hundreds of protesters at the Heathrow Climate camp experienced a rude awakening this morning - the din of whistles and shouts of "police on site".
The police themselves consider this illegal squatting - just 800 yards from BAA's headquarters.
The camp doesn't officially open until tomorrow, but everything -including the kitchen sink - has been brought in, ready.
The protesters have even got some unlikely support from local residents.
The camp is a few hundred yards north of Heathrow's perimeter fence and very close to the proposed third runway.
The injunction bans any direct action on BBA land but Channel 4 News has learnt Climate Camp organisers has been giving out advice on direct-action techniques: climbing, locking-on and trespassing.
Police say they have briefed their officers to use counter terrorist legislation - to detain or search - to stop any illegal protests.
Those techniques have become more sophicated than the early days of the Newbury bypass 10 years ago. Many of the groups coming to this camp were weaned on the Mayday and anti-capitalist protests.
Police say they have briefed their officers to use counter terrorist legislation - to detain or search - to stop any illegal protests.
The organisers say this is about - changing attitudes on air travel. They may have a tough job.
Earlier this year year Channel 4 News conducted a travel survey. 123 travels agents from ABTA were surveyed. When asked whether customers were limiting flights because of carbon emissions, 2.3 per cent said yes.
And 7.3 per cent believed that there was a demand for carbon off-setting.
All this despite an overwhelming awareness that climate change exists and is a serious problem.
This morning BAA said that any action which distracted them from keeping Heathrow safe in the face of the terrorist threat is unlawful and irresponsible.
