A police motorcycle rider has been injured responding to a protest by Just Stop Oil on the M25. The incident happened between Junctions 26 and 27 on Wednesday morning.
Essex Police said there was a collision involving the motorbike and two lorries during a rolling roadblock introduced due to an activist on the motorway. No information has been provided on the condition of the officer.
The force said it has also responded to reports of people on overhead gantries near Junctions 29 and 30. Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: “Officers have again responded quickly to minimise disruption and two people have already been arrested.
“One of our officers has been injured as they worked to help resolve this situation. Our roads policing officers are dedicated, specialist officers who come to work to serve the public and keep you safe on our roads."
Chief Superintendent Anslow added: “They do this tirelessly, day in, day out. Sadly, this morning one of these fantastic officers has been injured while carrying out this work.
“My thoughts are with them and their family. I want to thank the public for their support, patience and understanding while we work to resolve this situation.”
Just Stop Oil said around 10 of its supporters climbed on to overhead gantries in “multiple locations” on the M25 from 6.30am, in what is the third consecutive day of protests on the UK’s busiest motorway. They have been joined by activists from Animal Rebellion, a group campaigning for “a plant-based food system”.
Just Stop Oil staged 32 days of disruption from the end of September and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged, and officers working a total of 9,438 additional shifts. According to Just Stop Oil, its supporters have been arrested more than 2,000 times since its campaign began on April 1, and 15 are currently in prison.
