A Just Stop Oil activist on a overhead gantry on the M25. Herts police commissioner David Lloyd has questioned coverage of the protests (Just Stop Oil/PA)
(Picture: PA Media)Eleven Just Stop Oil activists have been charged following protests on the M25, the Met Police has said.
On Wednesday morning, supporters from the group climbed onto the gantries of the busy motorway with the police forced to half traffic at 6.30am.
One police officer was also injured following a crash due to the rolling road block which was put in place.
Wednesday’s protest was the third day the group has caused disruption on the motorway this week as part of their campaign to stop all new oil and gas licences in the UK.
Eleven activists were charged overnight for causing a public nuisance following a joint operation involving the Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, Surrey Police, Kent Police and Hertfordshire Police.
The 11 charged were set to appear at respective magistrates’ courts on Thursday. They are: Sam Holland, 20, Burley; Rachel Payne, 71, Bodicote, Banbury; Jesse Prince, 19, Bristol; Isabel Rock, 40, London; Niculina Tirpoca, 27, London; Gaie Delap, 75, Bristol; Paul Sousek, 71, Bude; Paul Bell, 22, Exeter; Daniel Johnson, 24, Blairgowrie; Theresa Higginson, 24, Biggleswade and George Simonson, 22, from Leeds.
On Thursday morning, members of Just Stop Oil once again targeted the M2 with drivers facing delays of up to 70 minutes.
Just Stop Oil quoted Phoebie Plummer, a 21-year-old student from London, saying: “As a young person, the only future I see before me is one of mass famine, severe droughts, wildfires, floods and societal collapse.
“I understand people must be frustrated with us, and rightly so, but we have to disrupt daily life because we are hurtling towards climate catastrophe.”
One arrest made for causing a public nuisance.
— Metropolitan Police Events (@MetPoliceEvents) November 10, 2022
The road is due to be opened imminently.
The road has reopened but the Met Police said they had arrested one person for public nuisance, while a further seven activists were arrested by officers from the Kent and Essex Police.
These latest protests follow prolonged action throughout October which saw up to 678 arrests following the group’s campaign across London.
