Kent Police plan to distribute leaflets to Climate Campers warning them against taking part in Saturday's rebel raft regatta.

The leaflets will say the protest, part of a three pronged effort to invade Kingsnorth Power Station, cannot go ahead because of safety concerns.

A river byelaw has been enacted in a bid to stop the proposed cross-river flotilla.

It will give police the power to seize boats, oars and any other material they suspect might be used to cross the river this weekend.

The Harbour Master at Medway Ports Authority has issued a Special Direction refusing to give permission under river byelaws for any public procession orregatta to take place. Climate campers say they intend to ignore it.

The Harbour Master has authorised the police to act on his behalf and enforce the Special Direction for 'the safety of all river users.'

Captain Stephen M Gobbi, the ports authority’s Harbour Master, explained the decision:

"Medway Ports has empowered the police to represent us in the enforcement of Section 21 of the Medway Ports Byelaws.

"This is because of our concerns for the safety of all river users, particularly the raft regatta participants."

Asst Chief Constable Gary Beautridge said: "We share the ports authority’s concerns for the safety of those who had planned to join in this activity.

"The regatta would put lives at risk - those of participants and also those of members of the emergency services who would be called upon should anything untoward happen."

He later added:"The river near Kingsnorth Power Station has high tides and treacherous currents and is extremely dangerous unless you are a regular river user and are experienced in sailing.

"If inexperienced people take to the water there is a very high chance they will get into trouble and possibly drown.

"We will take away boats and other contraptions that protesters are likely to use on the river and if they persist in trying to continue with the regatta they will be arrested."

Officers are to distribute 1,000 leaflets to protestors giving them information about the legal powers under which the regatta has been stopped.

Posters are also being displayed at the entrance of the site.

Details are also being given to the climate camp community residents’ liaison team as part of continuing discussions.

ACC Beautridge, continued: "We want people at the climate camp to be aware that the event is not safe and cannot happen.

Officers have the power to arrest anyone who ignores the Special Direction from the Ports Authority.

Climate camper Kevin Smith said: "Our legal teams are researching it at the moment but it doesn't really alter our plans.

"People have always made it very clear that they are willing to break the law if that is what it takes to highlight the madness of going down the route of building more coal fired power stations.

"Safety is paramount and we have spoken to the Harbour Master to get this information. Every person who steps onto a raft has to go through safety training."

"We don't know how many people will take part but there will be a mix of homemade boats and those that have been brought."

Details of regatta ban injunction

The Special Direction is issued under the powers contained in the Medway Ports Authority Act 1973.

It says: "The Harbour Master has not given permission in accordance with the Medway Ports River Byelaws 1991 to allow any public procession or regatta and invokes Section 21 of the Act in order to ensure the safety of navigation.

"You must not enter, or remain on, or in, the water within the jurisdiction of Medway Ports Authority."

The leaflets that will be distributed to people attending the climate camp have been printed on recycled paper.