Thanks for the response and the links. Filton was certainly a significant (and atypical) incident.Originally Posted by chrisp_1927
I didn't realise the Terrorism Act (and Anti-Terror Police from the SE) were used so much in these prosecutions. One of the original 18 people arrested (5 more were arrested in June this year) was accused of assaulting a police officer who was arresting one of the other activists; more of them were charged with 'violent disorder' which seems to be a catch-all.
The tools/implements you referenced were in one of the linked reports - although it looks as if they were intended to be used to break in to the Elbit factory, one was used in the scuffle with police and factory security.
So I agree in this case the allegation was more than just breaking in and causing 'criminal damage' to an armaments factory. There might also be a charge of assault or ABH.
There were (and still are) existing laws that deal with those kind of incidents - without any need to label it terrorism or to use the full coercive power of the state to suppress direct action and intimidate protestors.
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