Video: Anti-HS2 protester who was left with blood on his head claims he was assaulted by security staff near Kenilworth

An anti-HS2 protester who was left with blood on his head claims he was assaulted by security staff near Kenilworth.

The campaigner, known as 'Badger', was taken to hospital for cuts to his head after an incident at the Crackley Wood site, where protesters have been trying to stop trees being felled to make way for the new high speed rail line.

Fellow campaigners said Badger is a peaceful protester and they are shocked by the incident.

Warwickshire Police said they are now investigating the incident, which took place on Monday May 4.

In a video of the incident, the protester can be seen saying 'please stop attacking us' as he is surrounded by security guards.

When he eventually gets up he alleges that a worker attacked him.

Badger told the Courier and Weekly News: "I was taking a photo of the banner we had put up outside their front gate.

"A car came through and pushed against the banner, knocking the people holding it to the ground and into the compound.

"A security guard tried to take the banner so I held onto it and told him that it is our property.

"I had to step in and defend my friends and our property.

"They dragged the banner, with me on it, so I got into a sort of fetal position."

He claims he was then grabbed by the neck, pushed to the floor and then kicked and punched.

He was taken to hospital with a two inch split to the head. He also had gravel rash on his back and muscular pain.

Badger said that his phone slipped out of his hand during the incident and the video shows a staff member picking it up and handed it to someone else.

In the video, Badger is heard asking for his phone back but no one answers him.

He said: "I was asking to speak to someone such as a supervisor for half an hour while I was covered in blood. No one stepped forward."

The police eventually retrieved the phone from Birmingham but it has been in a wet bag and it was locked.

"We are trying to get someone to access the video off it so we can show everyone what happened," said Badger.

An HS2 spokesperson said they could not comment on the matter because it is being investigated by police, but added: “The Government has given the green light to start building Phase One of HS2, which will generate thousands of jobs across the country and create 400,000 contracts opportunities, many for small businesses in the Midlands.

"This is an important investment in the UK’s future as we recover from the pandemic.

"During the current health crisis, the actions of these Extinction Rebellion protestors have put our workers and the public at risk, and the emergency services under unnecessary strain.

“All leading environmental organisations agree that climate change is the biggest threat to wildlife and habitats in the UK.

"By providing a cleaner, greener way to travel, HS2 will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for domestic flights, and help the country’s drive to a net zero carbon economy.

"We’d urge all green groups to help us in getting people out of their cars, off planes and onto low-carbon, high speed rail.”

Protesters have been camping out in ancient trees which are set to be felled along the proposed route in Crackley Wood near Kenilworth.

Dozens of campaigners from Extinction Rebellion and the Stop HS2 groups have joined forces to reside at the makeshift camps in the under-threat forests.

Their camp of around 20 tents and camper vans has been blocking work sites and is said to feature a roundhouse built from hay bales complete with a field kitchen.

The group say they have been spending the days up trees during lockdown and claim to be self-isolating as though they are a "single, large household".

Supporters have been bringing the group food and care packages to leave at the edge of the camp as they continue to protest against the high speed rail link.