Farmers who blockaded a key Welsh port have been issued with warning letters from the police. Holyhead port, which has been closed due to damage from Storm Darragh in December, is set to partially reopen on Thursday this week.
Farmers had previously staged two blockades there in November and December last year as part of ongoing protests against the treatment of farmers by the Westminster and Cardiff governments. A letter from North Wales Police, published on the Welsh Farmers Protests Facebook page, warns prosecution could follow for any offences committed during further protests. Protest supporters however have labelled the police move a “scare tactic”.
The letter noted that while there is a right to “peaceful protest”, this right is not “absolute” under certain circumstances. The letter states: “Section 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 2023 Allows for the imposition of certain conditions on public processions and assemblies if the senior officer at the scene reasonably believes that it may result in serious disruption to the life of the community.”
It also said designated protest area at Holyhead Port was not used during the previous incidents. For the latest politics news in Wales sign up to our newsletter here.
Additionally, the letter highlighted that “Interference with use or operation of key national infrastructure is a criminal offence under Section 7 of the Public Order Act of 2023.”, reports North Wales Live.
“A person commits an offence if (a) They do an act which interferes with the use or operation of any key national infrastructure in England and Wales and (b) They intend that act to interfere with the use or operation of such infrastructure or are reckless as to whether it will do so.”
“Causing interference with the infrastructure around Holyhead Port in a similar manner to that experienced on both the 27th November and 5th December is likely to involve an offence under Section 7 of the Public Order Act of 2023. North Wales Police urge you to work with us, follow direction and ensure your protests are peaceful. I must warn you that failure to adhere to this advice, may leave you liable to prosecution.”
Tractors blockading Holyhead Port last year
(Image: Gareth Wyn Jones)
“The letter is sent in anticipation of the ports imminent reopening. North Wales Police and specifically the Rural Crime Team enjoy a close working relationship with our farming communities and are fully committed to building on that relationship.”
The reaction to the police letter on the Welsh Farmers’ Protests Facebook page has not been favourable, with one farmer saying: “Very polite threatening letter! I hope the Chief Constable ensures that all his officers are made fully aware of what THEY are allowed and not allowed to do and that they have a responsibility to enforce laws impartially.”
Another added: “It’s a scare tactic. Lorries or cars in a traffic jam can’t be breaking the law if they are moving slowly and it’s the same for tractors. It is not against the law to drive a tractor on the road at the correct speed on a right of way so just ignore this bullying behaviour.”
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