VOX POP

Will the new Criminal Justice & Public Order Act help contractors deal with the problem of environmental protesters?



Richard Diment

Director, BRF



It's clear that there is a tiny minority who are holding the law in contempt and are putting their lives and those of contractors at risk and that cannot be in the public interest. The new law isn't specifically designed for this problem, but if it gets protesters removed more quickly that will help.



Mike Snowden

Home Office Spokesman



It will certainly make the removal of squatters much more straightforward for the DoT or other property owner/occupiers and allow them to gain access to their property. The new law allows an immediate application to the courts for possession, speeds up the application and gives squatters 24 hours to get out once the eviction order is granted.



Elaine Gilligan

Friends of the Earth



We are concerned about the criminalistion of trespass. We fear it will not help protect the environment. The police will have increased powers to get people off sites, but will they have sufficient knowledge of environmental law, which determines whether and when they should intervene?