Anarchy group targets Bristol railway in bid to 'paralyse economy'
An anarchist group claims it has sabotaged signalling on the railway network in Bristol and started a campaign to “paralyse the economy”.
British Transport police said lives were put at risk by the attacks, which involved anarchists digging out signalling cables, wrapping them in flammable material and then setting them on fire.
-
Parson Street Station was the site of one of two attacks this week
Police and railway operators say they are investigating after the two attacks happened early on Tuesday morning in two locations – near Parson Street station in the south of Bristol, and near Patchway railway station on the other side of the city.
A statement was put on Bristol’s ‘Indymedia’ website claiming responsibility for the attacks. A group calling itself the Informal Anarchist Federation said the attacks were the opening salvo in a “low-intensity” war, which it was declaring on the “financial, judicial, communications, military and transport infrastructure” and its employees.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
The IAF statement warned of further “guerrilla attacks” and sabotage to “hurt the national image and paralyse the economy however we can”.
Police said they were aware of the statement and it was now one of their lines of inquiry. Network Rail said the nature of the attack was rare – normally damage to the railway network is either caused by the specific targeting of metal thieves or by random damage by young vandals.
DCI John Pyke, from British Transport Police, said: “We are aware of a statement posted on the internet in which a group is claiming responsibility for these incidents. At the moment, this is one of a number of lines of inquiry officers are investigating. We will do everything possible to trace those responsible and bring them to justice.”
The anarchist statement said it had specifically chosen the locations to disrupt the employees of Bristol’s many firms involved in defence.
“The purpose of guerrilla attack is to spread the struggle into different territories and facets of life,” it began.
“Finance, judicial, communications, military and transport infrastructure will continue to be targets of the new generation of urban low-intensity warfare.”
“The group said the points on the track had been chosen to target employees of the Ministry of Defence, “military industry companies” such as Raytheon, Thales, HP and QinetiQ in the business park near Filton Abbey Wood station, and the “corporate hub of Bristol” near the Temple Meads station. Normal services were not restored until the evening.
“We have no inhibition to use guerrilla activity to hurt the national image and paralyse the economy however we can. We don’t want rich tourists – we want civil war,” the statement added.
Comments
by happyandbored
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 9:27PM
“I've been called many things on this thread, moron, idiot, anarchist - I'm really not! I've even been described as dangerous.
And now I'm being called a plant. I was worried this time would come. Finally, my disguise has been uncovered. Yes, you are right, I am actually a triffid.”
by katachua
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 5:35PM
“@Erinaceus
I guess you're right. Leave the moron/plant to it. We'll see how smug he is when these idiots kill someone. Maybe it'll be one of those he considers to be disposable.”
by Erinaceus
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 5:13PM
“Sorry, katachuA ;-)
Either he's a moron or a right-wing plant. Either way, I don't intend wasting any more time on him, and I would suggest that you and Bedmo take the same approach.
Pity, because under all the hippie idiocy, there's a real point.”
by happyandbored
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 4:56PM
“Re: katachua:
Of course it is vandalism, albeit politically motivated vandalism. I didn't say it wasn't.
You stated that "...railway safety mesures and CCTV are not designed to protect the railways from potentially murderous attacks by demented hippies". This is daft, because vandalism is obviously one of the things such systems are there to monitor.”
by Erinaceus
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 4:28PM
“@katachue
He's certainly removed any lingering sympathy I ever had for anarchists. Just on thing worries me - are we sure he's not a far-right plant?”
by katachua
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 4:09PM
“"Really?! They're not there in case of vandalism?! By design, they're there solely to detect failure through wear and tear, but failure through vandalism is okay.""
Surely, this is vandalism?”
by BedmoBlues
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 3:23PM
“OMG! ARE YOU REALLY STILL BANGING ON ABOUT TRAIN SAFETY FEATURES?!
Thats really all you've got left? Your assumed knowledge of train safety features and spelling criticism.
If you think any anarchist will thank you for this defence you are sorely wrong.”
by happyandbored
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 2:52PM
“Re: "May I suggest that railway safety mesures and CCTV are not designed to protect the railways from potentially murderous attacks by demented hippies?"
Really?! They're not there in case of vandalism?! By design, they're there solely to detect failure through wear and tear, but failure through vandalism is okay.”
by katachua
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 2:27PM
“@happyandbored
"Katachua: your concern about the apparent lack of CCTV and and poor safety measures on our railways, is to be commended."
May I suggest that railway safety mesures and CCTV are not designed to protect the railways from potentially murderous attacks by demented hippies?”
by BedmoBlues
Wednesday, May 30 2012, 2:21PM
“@ Happy - You're like Rik Mayall in the young ones. Everyones a fascist. Classic.
All you've had to defend yourself is: "BNP! NU NU NU!" and "HYPOTHETICALLY IT COULD HARM PEOPLE." - Both weak arguments from a weak mind. You're beaten and I'm not gonna curb stomp you any further.
Your logic: I think this action is good - it is good cause I think so - Anyone who disagrees must be either stupid or a facist - therefore I'm fighting fascism.
I'd laugh if it wasn't so sad.”