Police are cracking down on demonstrators who use terrorist-style face masks to conceal their identity, writes David Horne.

In what is believed to be the first action of its kind, officers seized more than 40 of the masks from protesters at Hillgrove cat farm, near Witney, at the weekend.

Thames Valley's assistant chief constable Paul West said it is a way of targeting "hardcore" demonstrators who could be looking for trouble. One man was charged under new powers in the Crime and Disorder Act and bailed to appear before the Witney magistrates for allegedly refusing to remove his mask.

More than 1,300 protesters, many from overseas, joined in the latest rally against farmer Chris Brown's cat breeding unit.

The anti-mask operation was carefully planned beforehand and systematically carried out by officers who turned out in force to stop the demo getting out of control.

Mr West said: "We believe that the new legislation, which became law on March 1, was used by officers in a positive way. "By using the legislation in a targeted way against the hardcore demonstrators who may be looking to cause trouble, it allows the overwhelming majority to demonstrate lawfully and peacefully.

"It also helps them to feel less threatened and intimidated themselves by the extremist element within the crowd." The new police powers are allowed under Section 25 of the new Crime and Disorder Act. They give officers the right to remove face coverings if they believe they are being worn primarily to conceal identity at large-scale public assemblies.

They also help officers who video the demos, looking for troublemakers, and in some cases producing footage for evidence in court.

The man who was arrested has been put on police bail to appear in court on June 28.

Story date: Tuesday 20 April

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