SECURITY AT DEFENCE SITES TIGHTENED FURTHER

3 Apr 2006 11:15 AM

The protection of the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) most sensitive sites has been strengthened by the implementation of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCAP). From 1 April 2006, it has been a criminal offence to trespass on designated sites.

Each of the designated sites is already protected against the terrorist threat by armed security forces. This new legislation will strengthen their ability to deal with all trespassers.

Minister of State for the Armed Forces Mr Adam Ingram said:

"This new legislation will help to deter individuals from unauthorised entry to key MoD sites. Legitimate democratic protests will still be allowed to happen outside the perimeter of these sites.

"The introduction of this offence will protect the general public's democratic right to protest by ensuring that protests are conducted in a safe and controlled environment.

"The protection of these sites under SOCAP will, by allowing the security forces to concentrate on their primary task, provide the best possible security."

Currently, security forces have to judge whether or not a trespasser is a security threat. This puts both the trespasser and the member of the security force at risk.

By trespassing at these critical sites, protestors divert the attention of the security forces from their primary task of protecting the site, temporarily increasing the vulnerability of those sites to terrorist activity.

Notes to editors

1. The following MOD sites have been designated for protection: Her Majesty's Naval Base Clyde, Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, Northwood Headquarters, RAF Fylingdales, RAF Menwith Hill, RAF Croughton, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Brize Norton, Sea Mounting Centre Marchwood, RAF Fairford and RAF Welford. At each site the offence of "criminal trespass" will apply to the area within the outer perimeter of the site. These perimeters will be marked with signs.

2. Criminal trespass is an absolute offence. The only defence to a charge of criminal trespass is that the trespasser did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect, that the site where the offence was committed was designated under SOCAP. Any person found guilty of criminal trespass is liable to a fine of up to £5,000, or a custodial sentence of up to 51 weeks in England and Wales, (up to 12 months in Scotland), or both.

3. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, as amended by the Terrorism Act 2006, will in due course also provide for the offence of criminal trespass at nuclear sites licensed by the Health and Safety Executive. This will include the MOD sites at Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston, Atomic Weapons Establishment Burghfield and Her Majesty's Naval Base Devonport.

4. To find out more about the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act visit www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2005/20050015.htm

5. To find out more about the sites protected by this legislation visit http://www.defence-estates.mod.uk/byelaws/Internet/Intro.html