'Why did police need to send so many officers and vehicles to deal with a peaceful protest?' say onlookers and campaigners in Kenilworth

Police at the scene of the HS2 protest. Photo by David Hastings (dh Photo).

Police sent at least four cars and one van to deal with what campaigners described a 'peaceful protest' against HS2 in Kenilworth.

Three arrests were made but residents nearby were puzzled by the amount of police at the scene, considering there were only a handful of protesters.

The protest happened on Tuesday August 18 outside the entrance to the HS2 site on the Coventry Road, Kenilworth.

Witnesses told the Courier and Weekly News that it was a peaceful protest and the large police presence seemed unecessary.

Nearby resident Jenny Jones said: "They appeared to be behaving in a completely peaceful manner.

"It seemed to me an expensive and unnecessary allocation of police resources.

"I think the powers that be need to have a close look at their priorities."

Protesters outside the HS2 site in Coventry Road, Kenilworth. Photo by David Hastings (dh Photo).

A van was brought in by Staffordshire Police to help Warwickshire Police.

When asked by the Courier and Weekly News, Warwickshire Police did not comment about the level of police presence but they did say: "Officers attended and a 43-year-old man from Kenilworth was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer.

"He has been bailed until September 14.

A 17-year-old girl from Witney and a 16-year-old girl from Oxford were arrested on suspicion of obstructing the highway.

"They have been released under investigation while enquiries continue."