Blackburn / Liverpool - security tightens up for war criminals visit

Sky News reports "Roads in and around both cities will be closed for security reasons during the visit."

Pic shows 3 tripod mounted cameras on M65 plus barier mounted video near Junction with M66 a white van nearby was presumably checking all number plates against the PNC. This was taken 1/4/06 and a video had been mounted overnight on the other carriageway for traffic exiting Blackburn. (Attention sign is in car windscreen sticker!)

Reuters reports Assistant Chief Constable Patricia Gallan, of Merseyside Police, said officers would deal "swiftly" with protesters who break the law.

She said:

"We fully recognise the democratic right of every individual to demonstrate peacefully.

"We need to ensure that public safety is maintained at all times, and therefore trained officers will be on hand to deal swiftly with anyone who breaks the law and puts public safety at risk.

"Local people should be reassured that we are aiming to keep disruption to a minimum and to ensure that everyone involved is able to enjoy this high profile visit in a peaceful and safe way."

Looks like Section 59 of the Terrism Act is going to be in for some heavy use in the next 48 hours.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Lancashire Evening Post cover the visit of the war criminals to the BAE Warton Factory (no sly slipping in by the back entrance here) ...

Nigel Whitehead, Air Systems Group Managing Director, said: "We are delighted that during the short time they had available, the Secretaries of State visited BAE Systems.

"The fact that the Foreign Secretary feels that BAE Systems, and in particular Salmesbury, is an excellent example of a highly skilled technologically advanced industry, is something we should be proud of." (Subtext - we are really good at making things that kill people)

Cannot expect the MD of an outfit making an airplane 18 years in the making, that no-one wants to buy. to utter anything sensible to Dr Rice ...like "Fuck Off !!!! go and monger your wars elsewhere."

Which reminds me of the spectactular crash landing costing £50Mn at RAF Coningsby Lincs on Jan 19th 2006 when a RAF Typhoon, computer controlled front wheel landing gear didn't operate. More from a previous posting here and here is the lovely picture of £50Mn taxpayers money going up in smoke ... did they lay on a demo for the dolly war crim ? We want the computer codes for the JSF - you bet we do. 18 yrs and we still get these cock ups.