Two arrested as tempers flare at livestock market vegan protest
Date of alert:
Monday, 2 May 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Norfolk Constabulary
Two people were arrested following angry confrontations between cattle farmers and vegan protesters at Norwich Livestock Market.
Animal rights activists have been holding regular 'vigils' at the Hall Road market for the last five years, and now attend every fortnightly sale.
In recent months, Norfolk police officers have permitted protesters to stop livestock trucks on the access road for 30 seconds, filming and photographing their animal occupants.
But during a particularly busy sale day on Saturday - including a record entry of around 500 cattle and calves - tempers flared and police made two arrests, one farmer and one protester.
Market chairman Stephen Lutkin said although regular discussions were held between the market directors, protesters and police to ensure peaceful protests, confrontations and arrests were not uncommon.
He said: "Everyone has their right to protest - that is fair enough, and I don't have a problem with that.
"But it is getting a bit more aggressive and you get flashpoints at every market.
