We received the following report:

Willmott Dixon in Hitchin and Letchworth went in to lock down as protesters reached their offices as part of a national day of action against the company because of their involvement in the construction of the new Leicester animal lab.

Willmott Dixon's offices in Hitchin, who had their main doors locked in anticipation of the campaigner's arrival, received a vocal protest with plenty of beeps of support from passing motorists.

Two megaphones were used to ensure those at the company were in no doubt of why the campaigners were there. Staff were reminded that they can help by leaking information to the campaign.

Police were on the scene but were generally peaceful and protesters were not required to use any public order measures to control them!

Willmott Dixon has it's headquarters in Letchworth which it oddly shares with a children's nursery. Protesters were keen to ensure no children were upset by the protest and therefore protesters kept out of sight of nursery windows and avoided making a noise. A representative spoke with the nursery staff who said the protest was fine.

At the Willmott Dixon side of the building posters were displayed through the glass doors and an attempt was made to deliver a leaflet but no one was prepared to come to the door. A delivery was turned away by staff at the site – clearly answering the door is not there thing! A group of secondary school students stopped by the protest offering support and asking questions.

At the main exit road to the complex that houses the Willmott Dixon HQ other campaigners held placards to garner public support.

The police who had followed protesters all the way from Hitchin were overzealously taking pictures from inside the building, hiding in bushes, etc. protesters hid their faces in order to keep police entertained and out of trouble! Can't have them hanging around street corners, can we?