Police arrest 12 women protesters at nuclear base

TWELVE women were arrested yesterday outside a naval base at the start of a year-long blockade. About 60 all-female demonstrators took part in the protest at the main gate of the Faslane nuclear submarine base.

Strathclyde police arrested 12 of the campaigners outside the facility and they have been charged with public order offences. None of the protesters entered the base.

The activists said they had staged a non-violent blockade to disrupt workers entering the facility.

The arrests come at the start of Faslane 365 - a year of civil resistance to Britain's nuclear weapons programme.

Campaigners hope to increase the political and financial costs of Trident by protesting over the next 12 months.

The arrested women are expected to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court today.