TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. missile interceptor equipment was moved to an American military base in southern Japan on Wednesday after being delayed for three days in port because of protests by local people, NHK public television said.

Television showed riot police carrying shouting protesters away to allow a convoy of trucks that local media said probably contained 24 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles to leave the port at Uruma on Okinawa island.

Local police said they had removed about 80 protesters from the scene peaceably, but made no arrests.

The demonstrators said the installation of missile defense equipment would heighten tensions in the region, domestic media reported.

A spokeswoman for the Kadena air base said she could not confirm the contents of the trucks, except to say it was related to PAC-3 interceptors. The delay in the arrival of the equipment was for safety reasons, she said.

Okinawa plays host to around half the 50,000 U.S. military personnel in Japan. U.S. military bases are unpopular with local residents, who complain of crime, noise, pollution and accidents.