Police have sent a warning letter after Holyhead Port was blockaded by farmers. The port is currently closed, following damage from Storm Darragh, in December, but is expected to partially reopen this week on Thursday.
Farmers staged two blockades at the port in November and December last year, as protests against the treatment of farmers by the Westminster and Cardiff governments, continued.
However a letter has been sent by North Wales Police, ahead of the port reopening, which has been published on the Welsh Farmers Protests Facebook page. It warned the recipient of the letter, they could face prosecution if they commit offences during any further protests.
It says police were aware the person concerned, or vehicles registered to them, may have been at the protests. People have a right to “peaceful protest”, however that right is not “absolute” under certain circumstances, the letter said.
The letter added: “Section 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 2023 Allows for the imposition of certain conditions on public processions and assemblies if the senior officer at the scene reasonably believes that it may result in serious disruption to the life of the community.
“There was a proposed protest area at Holyhead Port that was not utilised during the incidents on the 27th November and 5th December.
“Interference with use or operation of key national infrastructure is a criminal offence under Section 7 of the Public Order Act of 2023.
Farmers protesting at Holyhead Port
(Image: Gareth Wyn Jones)
“A person commits an offence if (a) They do an act which interferes with the use or operation of any key national infrastructure in England and Wales and (b) They intend that act to interfere with the use or operation of such infrastructure or are reckless as to whether it will do so.
“Causing interference with the infrastructure around Holyhead Port in a similar manner to that experienced on both the 27th November and 5th December is likely to involve an offence under Section 7 of the Public Order Act of 2023. North Wales Police urge you to work with us, follow direction and ensure your protests are peaceful. I must warn you that failure to adhere to this advice, may leave you liable to prosecution.
“The letter is sent in anticipation of the ports imminent reopening. North Wales Police and specifically the Rural Crime Team enjoy a close working relationship with our farming communities and are fully committed to building on that relationship.”
The reaction to the police letter on the Welsh Farmers’ Protests Facebook page, has not been favourable, with one reaction saying: “Very polite threatening letter! I hope the Chief Constable ensures that all his officers are made fully aware of what THEY are allowed and not allowed to do and that they have a responsibility to enforce laws impartially.”
Another added: “It’s a scare tactic. Lorries or cars in a traffic jam can’t be breaking the law if they are moving slowly and it’s the same for tractors. It is not against the law to drive a tractor on the road at the correct speed on a right of way so just ignore this bullying behaviour.”
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