Climate swoop hailed ‘massive success’ despite arrests

Green activists have called this weekend's climate swoop a 'massive success' after breaking into and spending 24 hours outside Ratcliffe coal-fired power station.


The Nottinghamshire power station was targeted as part of the annual climate swoop event and saw three protesters injured in clashes with police while one more activist is believed to still be in hospital after collapsing yesterday afternoon.

More than 300 people were involved in the protest and the police have confirmed they’ve made around 50 arrests.

Activists gathered in various points on Saturday morning, swooping on the power plant in separate groups to arrive at 1pm.

Within five minutes they had already broken down one of the perimeter fences and several had entered the plant.

Demonstrators, under the banner the Great Climate Swoop, included supporters of three pressure groups – the Camp for Climate Action, Plane Stupid and Climate Rush.

Natasha Blair from the Camp for Climate Action said: “We’ve achieved what we came here to do.

“To show that coal has no future and there is a growing movement which is prepared to take action on climate change.”

Luke Walsh

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