EDO Weapons Factory Protest

Green Party councillor Ben Duncan has branded the estimated £200,000 spent on policing the EDO protest as a ‘waste of money.’

The comments were made as 53 protesters were arrested following the protest by Smash EDO on Wednesday 13th October.

Approximately 200 protesters met in Wild Park to voice their anger at the controversial factory in Moulscoomb.

Mr Duncan branded the police operation as ‘naïve and a little simplistic’ and ‘vastly counterproductive’ at a time when public service cuts are expected.

Sussex Police have highlighted a lack of communication as repeated attempts to contact Smash EDO to enable a peaceful protest were made.

However, no response was forthcoming and protesters failed to keep to the designated protest area, therefore the police were unsure of the exact nature and numbers of the gathering.

The criticism of the police is directed at the scale of the operation as 250 officers, some drafted in from other forces, were used to combat 200 ‘peaceful’ protesters and the fact that this is the latest in a string of costly policing operations relating to Smash EDO that could amount to £1 million in total.

Mr Duncan’s comments seem to contradict Green Party MP Caroline Lucas who stated: “You can’t say £1 million is unjustified when not everyone supports Smash EDO. Not everyone drives but we spend millions on road policing.”

In the past Caroline Lucas has supported Smash EDO, previously meeting them on marches. She has also voiced her concerns over the EU supplying arms to Israel, and the possibility of a connection to the EDO MBA factory.

All the 53 demonstrators arrested were released without charge, most of which were for a breach of the peace, with one man for possession of a knife, two instances of criminal damage and two for cannabis possession.

More arrests were made then in previous protests, according to police, to ‘prevent disruption to lawful activities and to prevent serious offences.’

Brighton and Hove Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Bartlett, said: “Financial pressures are tough, but people want and expect us to prevent crime and disorder.

“Our aim was to facilitate peaceful protest while minimising disruption to locals and stopping offences.

“Through our thorough planning and efficient actions today I’m satisfied that people had an opportunity to exercise their fundamental right to free speech.

“Additionally and importantly, serious and offences were avoided, disruption to local people was reduced and all local businesses remained open.”