Two men arrested as police target Saltend protest to keep roads clear
Police officers have clamped down on Saltend protesters who have caused further traffic chaos.
Two demonstrators were arrested yesterday after they blocked the A1033 for the second day running.
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One of the arrested men is led away by police officers after they acted upon legislation available under the Public Order Act.
Similar scenes were not expected this today as the unions have called a 48-hour break so talks can take place with plant owner Vivergo.
But Humberside Police have vowed to ensure the roads remain clear if further protests take place on Friday morning.
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Humberside Police have run out of patience, sending in around 50 officers, along with horses, to ensure there was no repeat of the traffic congestion caused on Monday morning.
Chief Inspector Darren Downs said: "On a number of occasions since the protests began, disruption has been caused to the roads around the Saltend site.
"We are now acting appropriately to try to prevent this happening again.
"We will now be enforcing legislation available under the Public Order Act to minimise disruption to the local community and the surrounding highways to ensure that people can get about their daily lives unaffected.
"Any criminal offences are identified will be dealt with by police and appropriate action taken which includes arresting people responsible."
The 400 workers, employed by sub-contractor Redhall Engineering Solutions Ltd, have been in dispute with plant owner Vivergo for several weeks after they were told they have no jobs .
The problems began when Redhall fell out with Vivergo after the project to build the plant fell behind schedule and over-budget.
GMB Union's senior organiser Les Dobbs branded the police tactics as "heavy handed".
He said: "If members have been arrested, then it is a sad state of affairs.
"But the police were stopping a peaceful process with heavy handed tactics.
"You have 400 blokes who haven't been paid four five weeks so there will be frustration.
"The police formed a line and pushed the protestors towards the road.
"I feel they should have taken a more subtle approach.
"I don't think the police are entirely blameless.
"But I would urge members to stay calm."
Workers will attend BP's annual general meeting in London on Thursday to protest further. The company is part of the Vivergo set up along side British Sugar and Du Pont.
The two protestors were arrested under section 14 of the Public Order Act for blocking a public highway.
A man, 37, from Hull, was cautioned and released while a man, 40, from Cleveland remained in police custody as the Mail went to press.
Comments
by salt end protester, salt end
Friday, April 15 2011, 6:09PM
“Tony, Hornsea you need to have a job and contribute before you can call the honest harworking taxpayers of the construction industry. If the unions where still powerfull you would be able to go to a job that is now probably occupied by a polish worker. One of the men arrested, who i know personally, was stood on the path on salt end road handing out leaflets and speaking politly to those who stopped of thier own accord was pushed into the road by a band of police officers then arrested for been stood in the road what chance did he stand.”
by Judge Dredd, Legal library
Thursday, April 14 2011, 4:08PM
“Sorry Phil you are wrong, deliberately driving slowly is a breach of section 137 of the Highways Act 1980:
" If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence . . . "”
by Hull Lad, West Hull
Thursday, April 14 2011, 2:12PM
“Well,this protest to stop or slow down traffics they ar on Hedon Road must stop. As the protestors are putting peoples lifes at risk. I feel soory for the genuine workers of redhall but as for the North East scum who dont do a days work and cause as much disruption as possible, you got what you deserve. The contract should have employed 90% local labour with good spirits and men who do a days work for a days pay. Some of these men working on the Vivergo project have no intentions of getting the job complete on time. The North East Mafia banned the overtime to drag the job out longer. Good riddance to the scum who are ruining our industry. These are grown men that stuff toilet rolls down toilets on site so the full site cabins up until the toilets are sorted,grown men who smear excrement over toilet walls, grown men who cause uteer disruption for the client. There is no wonder some foreign workers do a better job and have better morals and more respect.
Get another job lads back up the North East”
by phil, East Hull
Thursday, April 14 2011, 10:55AM
“I for one will gladly use 10 pounds worth of diesel in each of our 4 vans to form a 5 mph convoy up and down Hedon road! It is not illegal to have a slow convoy and yes i do work,am self employed and earn good money! Starting at 6.30 am till 10.30 am!”
by phil, East Hull
Thursday, April 14 2011, 10:51AM
“It is disgusting that these lads are not allowed to protest over the fact that they have had their jobs pulled due to bad management and shoddy foreign workmanship dut to a new court order by blunderside police and yet the local muslim population were allowed to walk through Hull ( 70 - 80 of them ) unhindered shouting anti british abuse?? AMAZING!! These lads have my backing 100% and i cant believe the comments on here! The saying " I'm alright jack" is an understatment!”
by Dave, At Home now
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 11:57PM
“Should be interesting on Friday the police have now got a court order making it against the law under section 14 for a gathering of people to be any where other than the area set a side for them up near the entrance to Bp, there can only be a maximum of 20 people and only between 07:30 and 10:30. Lets hope the police enforce this court order and don't just stand around and do nothing as has been the case this last few weeks”
by Bev, Hull
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 10:04PM
“I have been reading this story for the last few weeks and the comments people from hull have wrote and i am ashamed to say that i live in the same city as most ov these people. I fully support these men they have a right to protest the way they have been treated is disgusting, maybe if more people did the same and stood together this country would not be run by a set of muppets that take from the poor and give to the rich, @ tony from hornsea, you say u have been unemployed for a couple of years and struggle to put food on the table lol well instead of moaning about other peoples pay on this site why dont you get a JOB! im thinking your just LAZY!”
by Tony, Hull
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 7:45PM
“Excellent quote in the article
'Les Dobbs branded the police tactics as "heavy handed".
He said: "If members have been arrested, then it is a sad state of affairs.
"But the police were stopping a peaceful process with heavy handed tactics
THE PEOPLE ON STRIKE BLOCKING INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO THE PROTEST IS NOTHING TO DO WITH AND AMBULANCES GETTING THROUGH BY BLOCKING OFF HEDON ROAD BY STANDING ON IT AND CONTNUOSLY USING THE CROSSING TO SLOW DOWN CARS AND EMERGENY VEHICLES ON PURPOSE ARE USING HEAVY TACTICS YOU FOOL the protestors got what they deserve and it was about time.”
by A worker with a job, Looking forward to peace
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 7:32PM
“At least innocent bystanders are being protected by the police now and we are grateful for that. Now it has been made clear that the majority of the protesters actions are illegal and arrests will be made for breaking the terms of the section 14 notice we can go about our daily lives without let or hindrance. Just remember that you are only allowed twenty people at a time, although that will probably require the removal of socks to count them.”
by tony, teesside
Wednesday, April 13 2011, 6:22PM
“Well said John from Grimsby.They are all totally mis informed.”