Insulate Britain: Eleven more protesters arrested after blocking M25 for seventh time despite injunction
The group, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, glued their hands to the road surface at Junction 3 in Swanley, Kent at 7.30am on Wednesday, police said.
Wednesday 29 September 2021 17:09, UK
Police have arrested a further 11 Insulate Britain protesters after they defied a government injunction by blocking the M25 for the seventh time.
The group, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, glued their hands to the road surface at Junction 3 in Swanley, Kent at 7.30am on Wednesday, Kent Police said.
Just before 9am, the force said they had arrested all 11 activists involved, bringing the number of Insulate Britain arrests to 438.
"The Swanley Interchange roundabout at J3 of the M25 has now reopened following an earlier protest, which has resulted in us arresting 11 people," police wrote on Twitter.
"Delays remain in the area whilst the backlog of traffic clears. Thank you for your patience."
The government was granted an injunction by the High Court last week banning anyone from blocking the M25 following the group's initial protests.
Anyone who breaks an injunction can be found in contempt of court and could face two years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Kent Police Superintendent Andy Gadd said the force is working with prosecutors to seek "the most appropriate outcome" following Insulate Britain protests in the county.
"As part of those enquiries, we are liaising closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that the most appropriate outcome is sought, including if any charges can be made," he said.
"Kent Police will continue to monitor the situation, working with neighbouring police forces and partner agencies to ensure disruption to traffic and local communities is kept to a minimum."
But the group, which wants the government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to reduce carbon emissions, appeared defiant on Wednesday.
"We are going nowhere. You can raid our savings. You can confiscate our property. You can deny us our liberty and put us behind bars," they tweeted.
"But shooting the messenger can never destroy the message: that this country is going to hell unless you take emergency action to stop putting carbon into the air.
"Boris get on with the job."
As well as targeting the London ring road, so far protesters have blocked other important routes, including the A1(M) and A20 near the port of Dover.