Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors

Police restrict assembly and processions for Fairford Reclaim The Bases 5/6th April

At 4pm on 3rd April we received the message shown below - we asked if this was advisory or whether it was to be enforced with a news section 12/14 of the Public Order Act (like that placed on the demo on 22-March). They responded at 5pm with a short message to say:

"with reference to our earlier conversation whereby you asked whether Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 were being put in place on 5th and 6th April 2003 at Fairford, Gloucestershire;-

I can now confirm that the above legislation WILL be in place on 5th and 6th APRIL 2003.

Maps and an explanation of the legislation will be distributed to those persons attending on each day."

We have pointed out that as far as we are aware there is no intention to for any persons in the Fairford area to assemble or process during this weekend. We understand that citizens of this free and democratic nation may choose to spend part of their weekend visiting USAF Fairford to observe the loading and take-off of B-52 bombers. A pastime that attracts hundreds of sightseers every weekend at the moment.

Please note we will be updating out legal page on Friday 4th with new information that may be useful to anyone visiting the Fairford area. We would encourage residents, dog walkers, plane spotters, protesters and grandmothers to read the legal briefings and familiarise themselves with our civil liberties watch and police complaints procedures.... just in case!

MESSAGE FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE POLICE:
PROPOSED WEEKEND OF PROTEST
Saturday 5TH & Sunday 6TH APRIL 2003

It is the intention of Gloucestershire Constabulary to ensure that members of the public are able to exercise their legal right to peacefully protest and demonstrate their views.

However, it is also our intention to ensure that the residents of Fairford and surrounding areas are able to continue to live peacefully, and with the minimum of disruption. We sincerely hope that those members of the public who choose to protest in the Fairford area during the weekend of 5th and 6th April will treat the local community with courtesy and respect.

For reasons of public safety it has been decided that any assembly and procession between midnight 04/04/03 and midnight 06/04/03 will follow the route of similar events held recently. This will be as follows:-

Procession: Along Coronation Street and Horcott Road, Fairford, to the main gate of RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

Assemble: Mill Lane, Park Street and High Street Fairford.

Any members of the public who assemble or process from any other locations are committing an offence under the Public Order Act 1986, and risk prosecution.

We must also remind anyone joining the procession in the Fairford area that R.A.F. Fairford is a fully operational military establishment. Anyone entering these premises without permission is a trespasser and may be prosecuted. People trespassing in military premises may also put themselves and others in extreme danger.