It comes despite the Metropolitan Police “preventively” arresting activists last night on suspicion of planning action on UK motorways. Surrey Police said the decision was taken to close parts of the M25 during the morning rush hour on Monday “for everyone’s safety” while officers removed the activists. Image: A protester walks away from a bridge at J6 of the M25. Photos: Surrey Police The force said it had received reports of protesters scaling crane bridges at various junctions along the M25 – including junctions 6 and 7, junctions 8 and 9 and junctions 9 and 10. “We are here dealing and will resolve this as soon as possible,” he said on Twitter, adding that activists were removed and arrested for public nuisance from those sections of the highway, with traffic resuming. Image: A protester on the M25 between junctions 6 and 7. Photo: Just Stop Oil A protester also took aim at junction 30 of the motorway, with Essex Police urging the public to ‘not interfere’. “We continue to work to resolve the situation on the #M25 as quickly and safely as possible. Officers responded quickly this morning and have already made arrests,” the force tweeted. Meanwhile, Hertfordshire Police said they are facing similar action on the M25 at junctions 22 and 23. “Officers intercepted a group of protesters at junction 22 and several people were arrested,” he said on Twitter. “We remain at the scene, along with specially trained officers from the Protest Removal Team, and a road closure has been put in place to enable them to deal with the incident as quickly and safely as possible. Avoid the area and seek an alternative route where possible.” Image: A Just Stop Oil protester at J30 of the M25. Photo: Essex Police The Met had earlier said its “significant” operation had resulted in the arrest of at least three people who it had “strong grounds to believe intended to cause reckless and serious public disturbance”. In a statement released late Sunday, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Based on information, this operation is moving quickly and will continue this afternoon and overnight with multiple arrest inquiries underway. “So far this afternoon we have made three arrests connected to this activity. “Our investigation has strong grounds to suspect that the Just Stop Oil group intends to disrupt major motorway road networks, which would seriously risk harming the public, with reckless acts of public obstruction on a large scale.” The suspects were arrested for alleged conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, according to the Met Police. Mr Twist warned that “there is a possibility” that other suspects “still intend to cause an unlawful disturbance to the public”. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:05 Just Stop Oil removed from London streets Image: File image National Highways has secured a High Court injunction to prevent Just Stop Oil protesters from disrupting England’s busiest motorway. The court issued a further injunction aimed at stopping illegal protests on the M25, which rings Greater London, in a bid to end disruption of the busy road by the environmental group. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:19 The moment protesters walked off the QE2 bridge Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 3:20 Who are Just Stop Oil? It means that anyone who enters the highway and attaches to any object or structure thereon, and anyone who assists in such an act, may be held in contempt of court. They could face jail time, an unlimited fine and asset forfeiture. Read more: Just Stop Oil has this message for people affected Mother who deflates SUV tires wants ‘army of middle-aged women’ to join her Just Stop Oil has attracted widespread attention and heavy criticism in recent weeks for their stunts which have included spraying orange paint on buildings and scaling a bridge to force the closure of the M25 Dartford Crossing. Climate change campaigners staged 32 days of unrest from late September and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged. Protesters are calling on the government to abandon plans to license more than 100 new oil and gas projects by 2025 and do more to help people with skyrocketing energy bills.
