Richard locks on to the dairy aisle in Romford Sainsbury's
By Richard, Greenpeace volunteer
We were milling around inside the Sainsbury's store for 20 minutes before we got the signal to "lock on" to the dairy aisle.
Sainsbury's staff were restocking the milk section when the signal came, but further delay wasn't an option so we just went for it. We handcuffed ourselves to the racks before anyone realised what was happening.
Several manager types floated around for the next 15 minutes, telling us that our actions were pointless and the police had been called. They said we'd be far more effective outside, that customers were complaining, that we were trespassing ...
The police eventually turned up, despite there having been police cars cruising around the area beforehand.
The officers were very reasonable. They calmed down the store manager, who was getting jittery, and carefully explained to us that there had been a complaint and they were requesting we unlock ourselves and leave.
The reaction from customers was quite interesting once they'd fought their way round the barricade of police officers and Sainsbury's managers. Some were indifferent, one was abusive (which got us sympathy), and a number were concerned. Some wondered what they should do and, in contrast to the abusive one, another customer became highly indignant about Sainsbury's.
The non-managerial staff were very supportive - we even got one employee to sign the petition.
Eventually a police inspector arrived, bolt cutters were displayed, and a final ultimatum was given: unlock and leave or be cut free and spend the weekend in jail waiting for the magistrates court to open on Monday.
We decided to unlock. We had stayed for an hour and a half, making our point. Without any further hassle we left... to lock on outside.
