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SLG · Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 12:03 pm Post subject: Tayside Trekker Terrorist Threat

Harbour ‘terror’ arrest ‘ludicrous’

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2005/10/18/newsstory7649206t0.asp

THE CHAIRWOMAN of a local walkers’ group last night described as “ludicrous” the arrest of a Dundee business woman under anti-terrorism legislation after she walked on a restricted harbour path.

Michelle Nicoll, chairwoman of Tayside Trekkers, said the incident had been “a problem waiting to happen,” after Forth Ports had restricted the access to cyclists only.

Sally Cameron was reported to the procurator fiscal after she was arrested by Tayside Police officers as she walked through a restricted part of Dundee Harbour without authority.

The 34-year-old property developer from Broughty Ferry, who normally walks home from work through the harbour, said she was surprised to be stopped by a security guard and told she was trespassing, and was then arrested after two police cars arrived.

Ms Cameron was later informed in a letter from the Tayside fiscal that she would not be prosecuted, even though there was enough evidence to justify a court case.

The Tayside Trekkers chairwoman said, “That was always going to happen. How can you allow people to cycle along there but not walk? It’s stupid, and what happens if you get a puncture and have to walk alongside your bike, is that OK?

“I don’t know how they justify not letting people walk there, and to arrest her under anti- terrorism laws is just ludicrous.”

Police and the operators of the Port of Dundee said yesterday they had no choice but to have Ms Cameron arrested under anti-terrorism legislation, despite claims of “ridiculous” heavy-handedness on the part of port security and officers.

The arrest was made as Ms Cameron walked through the port, entering the area without the necessary pass and despite being warned that pedestrians were banned.

A spokesperson for the Port of Dundee said yesterday that police were called after a visitor was repeatedly told she was breaching a Government-backed code.

“Port of Dundee Ltd has fully complied with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, implemented in July 2004,” said the spokesman.

“The woman’s arrest came after she entered the port despite being informed by a security guard that she had no authority to do so.

“Subsequently, she was warned on a further occasion that she had no authority to be within the port. As the woman chose to ignore requests from port and security staff, the decision was taken to contact Tayside Police.”

Ms Cameron described police cars cutting her off “like a scene from Starsky and Hutch” while the harbourmaster referred to legislation brought in after September 11.

Though there is a path for cyclists only, she argued that it was completely isolated and, “you can’t just wander down the path and stick a bomb on a ship.”

She said, “I think it’s heavy-handed. If it’s a restricted area, it’s a restricted area, which surely means that you can’t cycle or walk there.

“I have walked there my whole life and I used to play there as a child. What they have done is ridiculous.”

Ms Cameron said that she was held by officers for several hours in the aftermath of the incident—a claim denied by Tayside Police.