Over 20 arrested at planned climate camp at Drax Power Station
Police are on site over the next few days
Last updated 8th Aug 2024
Over 20 people have been arrested in response to a planned climate camp at Drax Power Station near Selby.
Police from both North and West Yorkshire forces made the arrests overnight, arresting 22 individuals for public order offences which includes conspiracy to interfere with key national infrastructure.
The planned climate camp was due to set up at the Power Station near Selby between 8 and 13 August 2024.
Various items which would be associated with large scale protest have also been seized.
All 22 currently remain in police custody.
From today, officers say they'll have a 'highly visible presence' for the duration of the camp to ensure that disruption to our communities is kept to a minimum.
The Silver Commander for this operation, Superintendent Ed Haywood-Noble of North Yorkshire Police said:
“Policing is not anti-protest, we are anti-crime and we are here to protect the public.
"The right to peaceful protest is part of UK Democracy.
“It’s our responsibility to manage the protest in line with legal obligations. We also have a duty to ensure that people who work at Drax and members of the local community can go about their daily business as usual.
“At a time when police resources are stretched nationally it was essential that we acted both swiftly and robustly to reduce the risk of unlawful activity and disruption over the coming days.“