News / Police monitoring oil protest “very closely”
SHETLAND police assured the public on Wednesday that they were keeping a close eye on the Greenpeace protesters who have attached themselves to the huge drill ship Stena Carron just outside Lerwick harbour.
Observers are waiting to see how the authorities react to the protest being staged in opposition to oil giant Chevron’s plans to drill for oil in deep water 160 miles north of Shetland.
A similar protest off Greenland three weeks ago ended up with four Greenpeace protesters being arrested and deported. Chevron have made it clear that they regard the incident as a police matter.
Shetland’s area commander David Bushell emphasised that their priority was the personal safety of the protesters, their supporters and the people on board the drill ship itself.
Greenpeace have said they are equipped to remain attached to the anchor chain for a whole month after bringing a special accommodation pod into action on Wednesday morning.
Chief inspector Bushell said: “All the work that we are doing is around ensuring people’s safety and we are working towards hopefully having the situation resolved in a peaceful manner.”
He said they were monitoring the vessel and the surrounding area “very closely”, but would not say whether extra officers were being brought up to Shetland to deal with the incident, which is being coordinated from Inverness by Northern Constabulary.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.