Camped down and ready to take on RBS

• Two environmental activists make their feelings clear to RBS management at their Gogarburn headquarters in Edinburgh yesterday. Pic: Dan Phillips

The eco-warriors' camp, on RBS-owned land, overlooks the firm's global headquarters in Gogarburn, west of Edinburgh, and is expected to attract 1,000 people preparing to take part in a massive day of action across Edinburgh on Monday.

Two protesters were arrested on Wednesday night as the camp was being set up.

An RBS source said they had been using bolt cutters to try to cut padlocks on security bollards.

An RBS spokeswoman confirmed the privately run Bright Horizons nursery located within the headquarters' building, will be closed today and Monday on health and safety grounds to ensure the children's safety.

A number of activists, who did not want to be named, said the aim of their protest was to harm RBS financially.

One said: "We want to make a big scene, cause RBS to lose money. You might be looking at what we've done to RBS before - getting in the building, locking ourselves in, superglueing ourselves together, disrupting them."

Another protester said: "We are looking at peaceful protest and everything with the police is fine so far. But we hope from the police's point of view they'll be keeping themselves peaceful throughout as we've had bad experiences with them at the G20 and Kingsnorth power station protest in Kent."

While mass action is planned for Monday, volunteer organisers said the camp was "non-hierarchical" with no appointed committee overseeing arrangements. However, overall strategy direction is decided in advance at monthly "national gatherings" around the country.

Organisers also said that "affinity groups" of like-minded people could decide to take action - such as blockading a road, or picketing an RBS branch.

Natalie Swift, 23, a member of the camp's media team, said: "It is not our intention to put anyone in danger. When we have to break the law to make our point about RBS it will not be done in a destructive way."

Ms Swift, a charity worker, said activists did not intend to accept RBS's offer of a meeting, and said: "RBS is part of the problem, not the solution, there is no point in talking to them."

Police have sent liaison officers to the site in an attempt to engage with protesters.

Superintendent Lesley Clark said: "We will help those who come to Edinburgh, respect the city and take part in lawful protest. But if you don't respect the city and engage in criminal activity we will put on an appropriate response.We are well-versed in policing such protests and are adopting a community style of policing which can be scaled up or down."

Camp for Climate Action activists are targeting the bank because of what they claim is its role in financing firms whose activities harm the environment.

A spokeswoman for RBS said "As a major international bank we provide support for businesses working across many industries and reflect the make up of society and the economy. Just as society as a whole has to make a transition to renewable energy sources so will banks like RBS.

"In fact in recent years RBS has been one of the most active banks in the world in providing funding for renewable energy projects so we are at the forefront of helping finance the transition. Therefore, while we understand the protesters' intent and publicity tactics we clearly cannot agree with their decision to target RBS. We have offered to meet with the leaders of the protest, and although they have not accepted, this offer still stands.

"Our top priority is securing the safety of our staff and customers and we urge the protesters to make their point peacefully."