Three charged by police after Walleys Quarry protest
Officers were sent to the scene to "limit disruption to the local community and the road network"
Last updated 3rd Sep 2021
Three men have been charged after a protest outside Walleys Quarry landfill in Newcastle yesterday (Tuesday 31 August).
Staffordshire Police say they were sent to the scene "to limit disruption to the local community and the road network."
"Richard Anthony Fairclough, 42, of Cheltenham Grove, Newcastle, and Nathan Ross Wint, 31, of High Street, Silverdale, have both been charged with an offence of preventing the lawful activity of a business."
All three men have been released on conditional bail. Fairclough is due to appear before magistrates at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 16 September and Wint is due to appear on 30 September.
A 23-year-old man, from Newcastle, has been given a conditional caution.
In a statement a spokesperson from the force said that despite significant engagement and numerous appeals, a number of people would not end the blockade and three men, all from the Newcastle area, were arrested at the scene.
Commenting on the protest and those protesting Staffordshire Police added:
"Protestors were asked to protest lawfully at the designated area opposite the premises, which they agreed to do. Officers continued to engage with the protestors throughout the morning and the protest ended at 11.30am with no arrests."
Police officers also attended Walleys Quarry again this morning (Wednesday 1 September) and prevented a small number of people from blockading the entrance to the premises.
"Staffordshire Police will continue its dialogue with the community, including the protestors, local residents, Red Industries and other businesses in the area, in its role to balance the right of individuals to protest against the rights of those whose activities are impacted by the protests."