News / Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Police called to reports of a vehicle transporting ‘rockets’
Police were alerted this morning to reports of a vehicle towing ‘rockets’ on a trailer in Stoke Gifford.
These ‘rockets’ later transpired to be fake missiles alongside other mock armaments which made up props as part of a peaceful protest.
The Kingsdown Conservation Group was behind the environmental protest. They wanted to create a visual representation of their concerns on the impact the arms industry is having on the climate.
is needed now More than ever
A spokesperson for the group shone light on the matter, they said: “North Bristol houses one of Europe’s largest aerospace and military engineering sectors. We want this high technology, industrial hub to turn around and to produce energy saving technology and possibly carbon capturing installations”
“It is estimated that all military activities contribute over 8% of the world global CO2 emissions.”
A street in Kingsdown. Photo credits – Lowie Trevena
Arne Ringner, a passionate member of the group from Kingsdown, said the idea stemmed from the group’s “concern about the impending climate crisis”.
Speaking to Bristol24/7 over the phone, while looking at his grandson, the 71-year-old said: “We have to do our bit for the climate. It’s about doing it for our grandchildren, but it’s also so much more than that.
“We need to better utilise money to wholeheartedly contribute to a much greener life for everyone.
“As a group, we believe the biggest threat in our lives comes from the climate crisis. The minister of defence should apply this engineering capacity and skills we to developing green technology and not to keep producing bombs and missiles.
“We’re looking to start a debate on the urgency of applying all means at our disposal to deal with what we have – an emergency.
“Our group is not anti-war, we’re not here to discuss war, in fact we’re here to push for a debate on use of all the skills harboured up in north Bristol.
“We are a green capital and city with aspiration and our actions should reflect that.”
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police, said: “Police had a reported sighting in the Stoke Gifford area of a vehicle towing what was described as “rockets” on a trailer.
“The call came in just before 8.40am on October 19. Officers attended but found no trace of the vehicle.
“Subsequent enquiries led them to an address in Kingsdown, Bristol, where they spoke to an individual at about 10am and confirmed the “rockets” were props and part of a peaceful protest by the driver. No offences were identified.”
Main photo: Arne Ringner
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