- guardian.co.uk, Saturday July 31 1999 14.35 BST
Police fear anarchist groups may be planning to take advantage of next month's solar eclipse to spark disorder among the huge crowds expected to pack into west Cornwall.
The discovery of leaflets advertising an anarchy jamboree in Penzance during eclipse week has heightened concern following recent disturbances in London and Bristol. Copies have surfaced around the country.
The leaflet, which claims police will be powerless to prevent the all-day event, calls for supermarket shoplifting sprees and refusal to pay for entry to the various festivals being held in the region.
It threatens a sit-in at the Penzance branch of McDonald's and an "Autogeddon" in which dancers smash up cars in the harbour car park.
"This is your day, your freedom, your world," the poster says. "You owe nothing to landowners or club promoters."
Police and local authorities in Cornwall have been bracing themselves for the possibility of trouble during August, when hundreds of thousands of visitors will head for the region to witness the first total eclipse of the sun over mainland Britain in more than 70 years. There has been particular concern about the possible threat to ancient archaeological sites.
Heritage experts recognise they cannot stop people gathering at the many hilltop monuments and sacred ceremonial sites, but the authorities are determined to prevent illegal raves by blocking vehicle access for heavy sound systems and generators.
Around 30,000 acres of sensitive land have already been sealed off with boulders, known as dragons' teeth, to protect the Merry Maidens, Men-an-Tol and The Hurlers.
The Devon and Cornwall force has secured an extra £500,000 to help police the eclipse, and says it has been aware of the anarchist leaflets for some time.
Alan Street, assistant chief constable, said yesterday that extra police officers would be on duty around Penwith, where the biggest crowds are expected, during eclipse week. Officers on standby in other areas would be drafted in if the situation required.
Organisers of the Lizard festival on Goonhilly Downs, which hopes to attract up to 20,000 people to groups such as Kula Shaker and the Levellers, say security will be heavy.
