Cops set to move on gas hub protest

More than 100 police are heading to Broome in a move widely believed to be a pre-emptive strike against protests at the proposed gas hub at James Price Point.

The police will be divided between at least two Broome resorts for the duration of their stay and are due to arrive this weekend, hotel staff said yesterday.

Kimberley District Superintendent Mick Sutherland refused to confirm details of the operation, saying only that it was at its "planning stage".

It comes as Woodside resumed work on its $30 billion project, moving two drill rigs from the Broome Port to James Price Point as part of the final phase of its engineering and environmental studies program.

Local police simultaneously established a command post on Manari Road, which leads to James Price Point, carrying out random breath tests and vehicle checks on every passing motorist.