EIGHT people have been arrested on suspicion of trespass after a protest blockaded the McDonald's distribution centre in Basingstoke yesterday.

Around 15 protestors were part of a blockade outside the Martin Brower depot off Houndmills Road.

It was organised by Animal Rebellion, and was part of a nationwide protest against the fast food chain.

AS IT HAPPENED: Protesters stage demonstration outside Basingstoke's McDonald's depot.

Police moved in on the two blockades in Basingstoke at around 4pm on Saturday, making eight arrests in total.

The arrested protestors, from across the country and none of whom are from Basingstoke, remain in custody as of Sunday morning.

Basingstoke Gazette:

They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

The people arrested are:

  • A 25-year-old woman of no fixed abode
  • A 51 year-old woman from Malvern in Worcestershire
  • A 21-year-old woman from Bristol
  • A 32-year-old woman from London
  • A 21-year-old man of no fixed abode
  • A 24-year-old woman from Beckenham in Kent
  • An 18-year-old woman of no fixed abode
  • A 31-year-old woman of no fixed abode

Chief Inspector Matt Reeves said: “Everyone has the right to free speech and protest, however, officers will take necessary action against the few who deliberately choose to act outside the law.”

Protester arrived in Houndmills at around 4am, and had aimed to stay there for 24 hours.

However, after observing the protest for around 12 hours and ensuring the health and safety of protestors, police moved in at around 4pm, setting up cordons and cutting chains of those who had fixed themself to the road.

They were warned that if they did not leave, they would be arrested.

Officers then used an aerial platform to abseil down and get the protestors that were in the structure, before dismantling them.