Gloucestershire Weapons Inspectors

The GWI Legal Page

We have started legal actions releated to use of the Terrorism Act stop and search powers and the policing of the road closure and it's effect on access to G10 peace camp. If you have experienced being stopped and searched or prevented from peaceful protest or visiting the peace camp please fill in a legal monitoring form and help us build a stronger case. This is important to the future of protest at Fairford and other 'sensitive' sites across the UK.

This page contains information on Section 44 stop and search powers, a range of legal briefs and info on Fairford Civil Liberties Watch.

Section 44 stop and search powers

As of March 8th 2003 for 28 days Fairford (and the whole of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire) is subject to stop and search powers under Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. This is the first time these powers have ever been used. We are trying to keep a civil liberties watch - if you experience unusual policing in relation to section 44 please report it to us. For better understanding on the act and why protest groups should be worried about it read James Hammerton's commentary on the Terrorism Act 2000 (48k word doc).

This allows vehicles and pedestrians to be stopped and searched for no reason. You may be asked to remove outer clothing (coat, hat even shoes) but no more than that. Bags will be searched and pocket emptied. Male officers may search women although they should not touch you. You should receive a ticket after you've been searched. There is no legal requirement to provide your name and address.

Many people in the vicinity of USAF Fairford, mostly protesters but also journalists, locals and plane spotters have been searched. There are also some reports of section 44 searches near GCHQ in Cheltenham (as yet unconfirmed).

Having the power of stop and search section 45 says:-
Exercise of power. 45. - (1) The power conferred by an authorisation under section 44(1) or (2)-

(a) may be exercised only for the purpose of searching for articles of a kind which could be used in connection with terrorism, and

(b) may be exercised whether or not the constable has grounds for suspecting the presence of articles of that kind.

However if articles are found that could be linked with criminal acts it appears other powers can then be used. For example I had a marker pen confiscated because it could used to cause criminal damage and I would be going equipped if they allowed me to retain it. Yesterday (Sat 15th) there were less searches and it seemed these were only in the vicinity of possible illegal activities... for example kite flying where the kite crossed, or could have crossed the line of the fence.

Legal Briefings

Here is a short legal briefing for RAF Fairford (word doc) prepared by the Campaign For The Accountability Of American Bases CAAB. Please contact CAAB if you have questions relating to this document - it is posted here for information only.

A Fairford bust card from Ippy (pocket sized PDF format) - we have not at this point got a vounteer solicitor. The local police stations to handle arrests are Cirencester (which is small and doesn't do nights) but more likely Stroud. We are trying to arrange phone contacts in Stroud for pickup on release.

If you are coming to Fairford as part of an NVDA group please be responsible for the tracking an pickup of members of your group. Make sure you have their full name, contact details - at the police station you need to ask for prisoners by name. They will not tell you who they're holding, how many are held or where they come from. For example you cannot go into Stroud police station and ask "how many students from London are in the cells?" - or if you do ask this you shouldn't expect to get an answer.

Activists Legal Project - has an excellent set of general briefings on arrest, offences, attending court and being in prison: http://www.activistslegalproject.org.uk/

Trident Ploughshares legal support (England & Wales) has a range of briefs & case histories relating to Ploughshares activist cases - The pledgers in remand now will plead "lawful excuse" for their actions - http://www.andrewgray.uklinux.net/legalsupport/

A briefing offering a possible defence for aggravated trespass at Fairford under international law by Matt Sellwood, New College, Oxford. The introduction states - "The most common charge for breaking into a military base is that of aggravated trespass. Under this charge, the police have to prove that you were impeding other persons 'going about their lawful activity'. It is clear that, under international law, the preparations for what will be a war of aggression do NOT constitute lawful activity."

NVDA: Fairford is becoming a focus for NVDA (non-violent direct action).
If you wish to take direct action we suggest you link up with an experienced group who can provide support and training. We believe it is vital that any actions are entirely non-violent otherwise the peace movement risks becoming discredited and losing the wide public support we now enjoy.

Also please remember the Fairford Peace Camp and G10 Bomber Watch are legal activities that we wish to remain in place. Do not give the police any excuses to close down the peace camps - thank-you.

Civil Liberties Watch

There's a new page on Fairford Civil Liberties Watch