Five arrests made at Heathrow protest

Five people have been arrested in connection with the controversial climate change protest camp at Heathrow Airport.

Scotland Yard said that today two more men have been held on suspicion of being equipped to commit criminal damage in separate incidents, bringing the total number of people held by police since the foundations of the camp were first laid on Sunday to five.

A 34-year-old man connected to the protest was arrested at Uxbridge magistrates’ court earlier today and later released without charge.

It also emerged that a 26-year-old man was arrested at about 3.30pm yesterday on a road close to the camp. He was being held at a west London police station.

Meanwhile activists continued to make themselves at home at the illegally-occupied field between the villages of Sipson and Harlington.

Organisers said there are more than 500 people on the site, which is now partly-served with electricity from wind and solar generators.

They claimed Three Valleys Water has agreed to let them draw water from a mains tap in a nearby road through self-assembled pipes in to the camp.

There has been no repeat of last night’s flash point when officers were blocked from entering by a group of campers chanting “police off site”.

But there were reports tonight that a group of about 100 protesters left the camp, followed by 20 officers, to protest against the planned airport expansion.

Police said a team of intelligence officers on patrol last night met with “some opposition” from camp participants. No arrests were made.

Nevertheless, one veteran campaigner, mother-of-two Penny Eastwood, 52, of Hebden Bridge, west Yorkshire, superglued herself to a gate post in protest.

Timothy Lever, of the Camp for Climate Action, said Ms Eastwood had been responsible for police liaison and was disappointed by their actions.

Ms Eastwood was released from the gate by officers using chemical debonder and arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

In June the protester was also arrested after attaching herself to the headquarters of travel firm lastminute.com at London Victoria station.

Ms Eastwood is a member of Plane Stupid, the organisation targeted by a limited High Court injunction obtained by airport operator BAA.

The injunction bans members of the group from entering Heathrow Airport or interfering with its operation.

Protesters have refused to rule out illegal activity as they began to discuss plans for 24 hours of action at the airport from noon on Sunday.

Fears were raised after an email encouraged participants to bring smart clothes to infiltrate nearby businesses and stewardess uniforms – apparently for entertainment.

At least four police forces and up to 1,800 officers are involved in Operation Hargood, which is aimed at preventing any disruption to the airport.

One group said protesters should be setting up camp outside the Treasury to demand funding for the Crossrail project in London, or pitching tents along motorways.

Jim McAuslan, of the The British Airline Pilots’ Association, said: “They are shooting at the wrong target.”