Covid: Anti-vax protesters disrupt Milton Keynes NHS test centre

Activists held a rally in Milton Keynes on Wednesday

Police are appealing for information after anti-vaccine protesters targeted an NHS testing centre, shouted abuse at staff and appeared to damage equipment.

Dozens entered the site in Milton Keynes on Wednesday, and were captured in videos shared on social media.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid condemned the protest, saying: "This kind of vile behaviour is unacceptable."

Thames Valley Police said it was aware of the protest but no arrests had been made as yet.

Videos of the event showed the marchers throwing traffic cones towards the marquee set up to administer tests, and knocking down signs for the testing centre.

They could be heard accusing staff of "genocide" and some were chanting "shame on you".

One protester appeared to take test kits and equipment away with her.

One protester was seen taking equipment from inside the testing centre

The incidents in Milton Keynes were condemned by the health secretary, who wrote on Twitter: "I was appalled to see Piers Corbyn and his mob threaten NHS test and trace staff who are working so hard to keep people safe.

"This kind of vile behaviour is unacceptable."

Mr Corbyn, a prominent anti-vaccine campaigner, can be seen holding a microphone and walking with protesters through the test centre site.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was being "kept updated" on the police investigation.

"It is more important than ever that people have their vaccinations and booster jabs," she said on Twitter.

"It is completely unacceptable that conspiracy theorists are intimidating and harassing those administering tests or delivering the life-saving vaccine programme."

Ms Patel said the government was "bringing forward measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill to crack down on public nuisance & disruptive protests that impact the law-abiding majority."

Signs were knocked over as the protesters entered the site

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said it was "appalling" to see the protest "escalate into something much uglier".

He said he had spoken to Thames Valley Police to discuss the incident and said that "criminal offences will be investigated and appropriate action taken".

A police spokesman said officers had footage of the incident and added: "Where criminal offences have been disclosed, we will take swift action and bring offenders to justice."

The Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group said: "Abuse of our staff will not be tolerated and it is frustrating to see our work interrupted in an unhelpful and unpleasant way.

"We're asking residents not to be deterred and to keep testing and get boosted."

Protesters left anti-vaccination stickers on the banners at the NHS Test and Trace site

Anti-vaccination protesters also disrupted a performance of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at Milton Keynes Theatre on Wednesday.

Alfie Drake was at the theatre with his family and said the group "came across as very aggressive".

"It's disgraceful; older men and women were shouting and blowing whistles and making some kids cry," the 19-year-old said.

Another person who was at the pantomime said the protesters were "trying to scare little kids going to an xmas panto".

Mr Corbyn was seen addressing the crowd in the theatre lobby.

Writing on social media, a spokesman for Milton Keynes Theatre said: "During the interval of this afternoon's performance of our pantomime, a group of protestors forced their way into the venue's foyer before being escorted out of the building by the police.

"Although we respect the right to choose whether to have a vaccination, we rebuke the actions taken today that saw our staff and patrons frightened and assaulted."

The theatre said it was "saddening" to see a show "marred" by the protest, and said it would "continue to follow government Covid-19 guidelines to keep our staff, customers and visiting company as safe as possible, and to enable live theatre to continue during this pandemic."

Prominent anti-vaccine campaigner Piers Corbyn (centre, with microphone) addressed the crowd as protesters filled the foyer of Milton Keynes Theatre

The protests happened on the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited a vaccination centre in Milton Keynes, and encouraged people to get a booster jab.

The Conservative MP for Milton Keynes North, Ben Everitt, said the protest at the testing centre was "completely unacceptable, and disrupting the work that the volunteers and staff do... is just completely out of order".

Speaking about the protest at the theatre, he described the group as "muppets".

"What were they trying to achieve by storming a panto? What kind of target is a children's theatre production?"

Mr Everitt said some of the children and their parents "threw ice cream at [the protesters] - and they left - it was a pretty rubbish protest".

Jane Carr, the Liberal Democrat councillor in charge of public health at Milton Keynes Council, said: "This is much bigger than vaccine passports - this is about people's lives.

"To call people murderers and fascists is... well, I am more than angry, I am disgusted.

"If you want to protest, do it peacefully, but don't insult people, don't threaten people and don't stop the NHS working."