Gang storms airport protest camp

Gang storms airport protest camp

More trouble broke out at the Manchester airport protest against the construction of a new pounds 172m runway yesterday after a gang of 30 outsiders tried to break into the peace camp.

Cheshire police blamed outsiders for the confrontation. They arrived at the site in the middle of the night and clashed with police when the protesters refused to admit them. Two men were arrested in connection with allegations of criminal damage to a fence, a police spokeswoman said. They have been bailed to appear before Crewe magistrates on 30 May. It was unclear whether they were vigilantes or would-be infiltrators advocating tougher opposition to the runway expansion. The runway contractors, Amec and Tarmac, are to go to the High Court tomorrow to begin eviction proceedings against the protesters.