AWE Protest

15 February 2010, 12:18 | Updated: 16 February 2010, 12:55

26 people have been arrested after a protest outside AWE Aldermaston.

Thames Valley Police said at least four hundred campaigners turned up to the site on Monday morning, to blockade the entrances. They are protesting over plans to replace our nuclear submarines.

Campaigners from as far afield as Sweden, Switzerland and Finland arrived, with some protesters super-gluing themselves together.

Chief Inspector Judith Johnson, Deputy Commander for West Berkshire Local Police Area, said:

“The vast majority of protesters were peaceful and we would like to express our thanks to them for their cooperation and consideration throughout the day. However a small minority seemed intent on causing problems."

Five people were arrested for gaining entry to a secure site and the remaining 21 were for obstruction of the highway.

Eleven people have been released on bail to return to Newbury police station in May and the rest have been given cautions.

11 were from Spain, 3 from Belgium and the others from all over the UK.

ACC Brian Langston who was the overall Commander for the operation told Heart they had learnt from last year's G20 protests:

“I am pleased with the way the policing operation went. Disruption to the community was minimised and, most importantly, no-one was hurt. Our response was proportionate to the threat and the policing style reflected the nature of the protest, which was generally good humoured. We have taken steps to learn the lessons highlighted from the G20 demonstrations last year and have been liaising with the protest groups during the course of the year."