Parts of the M25 were closed as Just Stop Oil staged its latest protest
Dozens of climate change campaigners have been arrested for actions to target England’s busiest motorway despite a police operation to thwart their plans.
Sections of the M25 were closed during rush hour on Monday morning as part of the Just Stop Oil protest.
The Met Police said 35 people had been arrested in response to the disturbance.
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said the act was “criminality”, not protest, and vowed to bring those involved to justice as soon as possible.
“This was a very significant and co-ordinated effort to cause massive disruption to the whole of the M25,” he added.
Several junctions across Surrey, London and Kent were affected.
A protester was removed from the motorway portal by Surrey Police
Protests were held at several locations on the M25 including: J2 (Darenth), J6-7 (Godstone), J8-9 (Reigate), J13-14 (Staines), J21a-22 (St Albans), J25 (Holmesdale Tunnel ) and J27 (M11).
Essex Police said there had been arrests following reports of people climbing an overhead gantry close to junction 30 of the M25.
In an emotional video broadcast from one of the portals, the protester Louise said that she was there because she felt that she “does not have a future and you can hate me for doing this and you have the right to hate me , but I wish you would direct all that anger and hatred against our government.”
Demonstrator Louise says the government is “betraying young people”
The 24-year-old added: “They’re betraying young people like me. I wouldn’t be there if they were doing their legal duty.
“What we’re asking for is what all scientists are asking for, what the United Nations is asking for… how many more people have to say ‘we don’t have a vibrant future if you continue to license oil and gas’ for you to listen?”
Six police forces were involved in the operation around the M25
The Met Police said it had launched a “significant” operation to identify and arrest climate change protesters.
Three people accused of planning a public disturbance were “proactively” arrested on Sunday, according to the Met.
They were detained on suspicion of “conspiracy to knowingly or recklessly cause public nuisance”, a new offense under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
A further four were arrested in raids on Monday morning.
‘Genocidal death project’
Sir. Twist said: “We suspected that the intent of the individuals involved was completely out of proportion to any legitimate right to protest.”
Supt Graham Barnett, of Surrey Police, said: “While we always seek to facilitate peaceful protests, the protests we have seen today have gone beyond that.
“While they have been peaceful, the impact they have had on the public has not been proportionate.”
From late September and throughout October, Just Stop Oil staged 32 days of protests, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests, leading to 111 people being charged.
According to the group, since its campaign began on April 1, its supporters have been arrested nearly 2,000 times, and five of its supporters are currently in jail.
The Met, which is running the operation in partnership with the National Police Coordination Center (NPoCC), said more than 10,000 officer shifts had been dedicated to policing the protests since the start of October.
“These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues that matter to the community such as knife crime, security and burglary response,” Mr Twist said.
Image credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/Reuters
On Sunday, an injunction was granted to try to prevent demonstrations on the M25
“We are determined to prosecute all those who conspire to cause significant and unreasonable disruption to London or cause damage to buildings, property or valuables,” he added.
Police are calling on the public to help officers prevent disruption caused by protesters.
The protest group staged direct action across London throughout October
Just Stop Oil wants the government to abandon plans to license over 100 new oil and gas projects by 2025 and do more to help people with rising energy bills.
In an update on its website, the group said: “This is not a one-day event, expect us every day, anywhere.
“This is an act of resistance against a criminal government and their genocidal project.
“Our supporters will return – today, tomorrow and the day after – and the day after – and every day until our demands are met: no new oil and gas in Britain.”
Just Stop Oil said on social media that on Sunday evening it had “contacted the Metropolitan Police and National Highways Ltd to advise them that there would (be) major disruption on the M25 and asked them to implement a 30mph speed limit”.
In a statement, the government said it remains “fully committed” to reaching net zero by 2050, but with “Russia weaponizing energy across Europe, it must do so in a way that protects energy security”.
“This includes increased domestic gas supply, which we have always been aware will have a role in our transition to net zero. But we will also continue to drive forward our commitments on nuclear and renewables such as offshore wind,” it said.
“While we respect the right to protest, people’s daily lives should not be disrupted and criminal activity will not be tolerated.”
Analysis
By Tom Edwards, BBC London Transport and Environment Correspondent
The recent environmental protests are causing lots of disruption and, according to the Met, diverting officers from other duties.
The protests have also changed from a single big issue during Extinction Rebellion – climate change – to becoming much more specific and having a specific goal.
The group Insulate Britain blocked the M25 over insulation and Just Stop Oil is doing the same with new oil licences.
It is very difficult for the authorities to deal with these protests; arrests and legal action do not seem to stop the protesters.
When I interviewed Just Stop Oil last week, they made it very clear that more protests were inevitable until the government changes its policy.
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