GLOUCESTER residents have seen a ‘‘huge’’ increase in police numbers as activists ramp up their opposition to energy giant AGL’s coal seam gas project in the town. There have been 10 arrests since activists began basing themselves at the entrance to AGL’s Gloucester pilot project this week, and protesters say that although relations with police are remaining ‘‘polite’’, their growing numbers have also prompted an increase in the town’s law and order presence. The launch of ‘‘Operation Lindo’’ – a special taskforce put together to deal with the hordes of activists expected to descend on the town in the coming months – has seen a definite spike in the force presence, which usually includes only three full-time officers in the town. Rod Besier, a member of coal seam gas opposition group Groundswell Gloucester has noticed a ‘‘huge’’ increase in police. ‘‘Just in the last few days, the resources have definitely upped,’’ he said. ‘‘I was in town [Friday] having lunch, and the cafe was full of them.’’ Police will not give the exact numbers, but in a written statement said ‘‘specialist police’’ were assisting as required. ‘‘New South Wales Police will have sufficient resources to ensure the rights of people to protest lawfully are met and that the company can carry out their lawful business,’’ the statement read. Read more: theherald.au/story/2649895/police-presence-rises-activists-stand-ground/
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 19:58:44 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015