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Police inspecting airport protest Police inspecting airport protest
(30 minutes later)
Dozens of police officers have been inspecting a camp set up by climate change protesters near Heathrow Airport.Dozens of police officers have been inspecting a camp set up by climate change protesters near Heathrow Airport.
Up to 3,000 people are expected to pitch their tents on Tuesday for a week-long protest against plans to expand the airport. Up to 2,000 people are expected to pitch their tents on Tuesday for a week-long protest against plans to expand the airport.
About 250 campaigners have already arrived at the Camp for Climate Action.About 250 campaigners have already arrived at the Camp for Climate Action.
Campaigners blew whistles as police entered the camp to meet the organisers and inspect the site.Campaigners blew whistles as police entered the camp to meet the organisers and inspect the site.
Airport operator BAA has warned it will not allow passengers to be "harassed or obstructed". Chief Superintendent Ian Thomas said 25 officers inspected the site on Monday morning at the landowner's request.
Protesters from the UK and abroad are expected to highlight their claims that the growth in air travel is a major factor in greenhouse gas emissions. He said the protesters were on the site illegally, adding that police had repeatedly asked to send in a small team of officers to check that there had been no damage to the site or any offences.
Camp organisers have now agreed to allow four officers to remain on the site.
Map of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate campMap of proposed Heathrow expansion and climate camp
A police spokesman said that protesters had set up camp at a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - and that the protest was peaceful.
The camp is near the villages of Sipson and Harlington, between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter.The camp is near the villages of Sipson and Harlington, between the M4 motorway and the airport's northern perimeter.
A number of tents were standing on the site by Monday morning, with banners bearing messages including "Climate Camp - no Airport Expansion" and "Runways to ruin".A number of tents were standing on the site by Monday morning, with banners bearing messages including "Climate Camp - no Airport Expansion" and "Runways to ruin".
'Civil disobedience'
Protesters from the UK and abroad are expected to highlight their claims that the growth in air travel is a major factor in greenhouse gas emissions.
Organisers say the first few days will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action.Organisers say the first few days will be taken up with 100 workshops on issues ranging from campaigning skills to practical training on how to take direct action.
A day of "mass direct action" is scheduled for Sunday and a website supporting the camp has promised acts of "civil disobedience".
HEATHROW AIRPORT 67.7m passengers each year 469,560 flights each year68,000 employeesFour terminals, two runwaysTerminal 5 set to open 2008HEATHROW AIRPORT 67.7m passengers each year 469,560 flights each year68,000 employeesFour terminals, two runwaysTerminal 5 set to open 2008
Police have said they expect protesters to use "lock-ons", where people attach themselves to vehicles and fences, drop banners over buildings and engage in sit-down protests across major roads. A day of "mass direct action" is scheduled for Sunday and a website supporting the camp has promised acts of "civil disobedience".
Airport operator BAA has warned it will not allow passengers to be "harassed or obstructed".
Gemma Davis, a spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Change, told the BBC that the intention was not to delay holidaymakers.Gemma Davis, a spokeswoman for the Camp for Climate Change, told the BBC that the intention was not to delay holidaymakers.
"We're not here to try to disrupt passengers, we're here to try to disrupt BAA," she said."We're not here to try to disrupt passengers, we're here to try to disrupt BAA," she said.
A police spokesman said that about 150 people had set up camp at a sports ground belonging to Imperial College London - and that the protest was peaceful. Police have said they expect protesters to use "lock-ons", where people attach themselves to vehicles and fences, drop banners over buildings and engage in sit-down protests across major roads.
InjunctionInjunction
Around 1,800 officers from Surrey police, Thames Valley police, the Met, and British Transport Police will oversee the event. About 1,800 officers from Surrey police, Thames Valley police, the Met, and British Transport Police will oversee the event.
Commander Jo Kaye, who is responsible for the operation - codenamed Hargood - said policing the protest will not affect day-to-day counter terrorist operation at Heathrow. Commander Jo Kaye, who is responsible for the operation - codenamed Hargood - said policing the protest would not affect day-to-day counter terrorist operation at Heathrow.
BAA has warned against protests which could be a dangerous distraction at a time of heightened security fears.
Last week, BAA won a High Court ruling banning certain protesters from Heathrow - but the injunction does not prevent the setting up of the camp.Last week, BAA won a High Court ruling banning certain protesters from Heathrow - but the injunction does not prevent the setting up of the camp.
"With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business," said Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director."With the current terrorism threat, keeping Heathrow safe and secure is a very serious business," said Mark Bullock, BAA Heathrow's managing director.
"Any action taken by the protesters that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful.""Any action taken by the protesters that distracts us or the police from this task is irresponsible and unlawful."
Meanwhile, Plane Stupid, the campaign group banned from taking part in the Heathrow event has set up a protest on a barge transporting the wing of an Airbus A380.
The campaigners boarded the transporter as the wing was about to be taken along the River Dee from the Airbus factory in Broughton.
They pitched tents under the 420 square metre wing and say they will not leave the barge unless the wing is taken back to the factory.
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Are you planning to join the protesters near Heathrow? Are you already at the camp? Are you an airport employee or a local resident? How do you feel about the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you planning to join the protesters near Heathrow? Are you already at the camp? Are you an airport employee or a local resident? How do you feel about the protests? Send us your comments and experiences.
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