Brighton peace activists campaigning against weapons manufacturers EDO MBM had their camp evicted and tents impounded under a nineteenth century bye-law yesterday. Police arrived at the camp (in Wild Park, Brighton) at 12.45pm on Tuesday and gave campers 1 hour and 45 minutes to strike camp and move on. Under the command of Chief Inspector Mills, they issued notices under section 164 of the 1875 Public Health Act. At 2.30 around 40 police officers moved onto the camp and began ripping down and seizing tents.

Andrew Beckett said “This was complete overkill. Local residents were at the camp, and were scared off by the police over-reaction. The police served an eviction order on a childrens' den and tore it down.The council did not want us moved on, this was a unilateral police decision – we do not represent a threat to anyone, except EDO MBM. In any case the police have known about the camp since Sunday evening – so why the emergency eviction? This was a politically motivated move by Sussex police, who have shown in the past that they are more than willing to bend the law to accommodate the desires of EDO MBM.”

Undeterred campaigners have vowed to continue their week of action and have re-occupied the site in Wild Park.