"We have to judge where balance lies" says police chief after Walleys Quarry protest
Staffordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Scott Green has responded after around 45 officers were dispatched to the Silverdale landfill gates
Last updated 26th Aug 2021
Staffordshire Police are defending their actions in response to a protest outside Walleys Quarry landfill in Newcastle.
Around 45 police officers arrived yesterday in response to the #StopTheStink protest taking place opposite the gates of Walleys Quarry landfill in Silverdale, and to a small group blocking the entrance and preventing vehicles entering or leaving.
Assistant Chief Constable Scott Green, of Staffordshire Police, said: “The overall aim of the operation is to manage protests at Walleys Quarry, balancing the rights of individuals to protest against the rights of those whose activities are impacted upon by the protests, which includes businesses, other members of the public in the area and those who hold opposing views.
“Often the rights of these different groups can come into conflict, and as police officers, we have to judge where that balance lies. Officers had open conversations with organisers before the planned protest on 25 August 2021 and they indicated at least 200 protestors would be present.
ACC Scott Green continued: “During the day, police officers kept the situation under review and judged how to strike the balance accordingly, as circumstances changed. Organisers had indicated they would be causing a blockade at various times during day. However, the exact details of the blockade were not shared directly with officers.
“Some of those present chose to block access to Walleys Quarry and officers continued to engage with all of those present – including protecting the rights of the protestors, ensuring they were kept safe. After a period of over two hours, officers requested that protestors continued their protest from the side of the carriageway which would allow for the protest to continue alongside the business then being able to operate – again balancing the rights of all parties. Despite requests from officers to not block the entrance, a 41-year old man from Newcastle was arrested and has been charged with obstructing the highway. The man was asked to move numerous times but refused to do so.”
A number of people across North Staffordshire are reflecting on the police response today, including Councillor Susan Moffat, who has described their involvement as heavy-handed, disturbing and upsetting.
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