BRITAIN: Police have threatened to "robustly deal with" anti-capitalist protesters who seek to disrupt the three-day G8 summit which is due to begin today in Gleneagles.
A 5,000-strong protest march by a group called G8 Alternatives, organised in co-operation with the police, is to be held near the summit meeting today.
In Auchterarder, a village some two miles from Gleneagles, Tayside's chief constable John Vine said the police force had enjoyed a good relationship with the G8 Alternatives group.
"We want to allow the peaceful protest of the majority to take place unhindered by any rogue elements who are set on disruption and confrontation," he said.
"If we encounter people who are prepared to use violence to achieve their aims and break the law then we will take robust action . . . We will arrest them and put them before the courts."
Some 3,000 police have been assigned to Gleneagles itself, including a specialist firearms team, officers mounted on horseback and a guard-dog unit.
As part of the security operation, the summit hotel has been surrounded by an 8km steel fence guarded by watchtowers and surveillance cameras.
A series of other security measures are in place behind the fence, according to police. Mr Vine said any protesters who attempted to cross the fence would be arrested.
A number of anarchist groups have said they will seek to disrupt the summit by whatever means necessary.
One member of an anarchist group told The Irish Times yesterday: "That [ Monday] was a battle, but the war is to come on Wednesday. It will be a lot more serious, I suppose a lot more force will be used. I don't want to say what we'll do, but we got a taste of it yesterday."
Another added: "The ultimate aim of what we're doing is to blockade and disrupt the summit through direct action and whatever means are necessary."
Rumours have circulated that human barricades and burning straw bales may be used to block road access to the summit, and there will be attempts to breach the steel barrier.
Clashes between police and anti-G8 protesters on Monday resulted in 100 arrests. Most of those arrested were charged with public order offences.
Some of those released from police custody have been directed to stay away from Edinburgh and the Gleneagles area until after the G8 summit.
Police say they believe their intelligence-gathering process will lead to more arrests in addition to the 100 so far following the violent protests in Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, roads in the Gleneagles area were being closed off last night in the lead-up to the first day of the summit.
Police have begun to stop and search vehicles in the area. Only those with permits, such as accredited officials and locals, are allowed into the surrounding area.