Eco-activists who spent 36 hours dangling on Dartford Bridge arrested after police bring in cherry picker

18 October 2022, 16:50 | Updated: 18 October 2022, 18:42

By Fran Way

@journofran

Two Just Stop Oil protesters who have been dangling from the Dartford Crossing for more than 36 hours have been arrested.

This afternoon, the pair 'agreed' to cooperate with police requests for them to come down after officers brought in a giant cherry picker to get them down.

In a joint statement, Morgan and Marcus said: "We successfully disrupted oil supplies to Kent & the South East for 36 hrs. We are stepping down now but other supporters of Just Stop Oil will be stepping up day after day, causing disruption & putting their liberty on the line to demand that the government ends new oil & gas."

This evening Essex Police Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: "We cannot tolerate people carrying out activity which puts lives at risk and prevents people from going about their lives.

"I know this has been really frustrating for the public and the disruption has negatively impacted on businesses and meant people have been late for, or missed, appointments.

"Alongside our partners, we worked hard to resolve this complex situation as quickly and safely as possible.

"Now the situation has been resolved, National Highways will make the decision about when and how the bridge can re-open."

Mr Anslow added: "I want to again reiterate; we are not in any way anti-protest, and we will always seek to facilitate safe protest where we can. However, it is unacceptable for people to think they can put lives in danger with irresponsible actions. In this case, it is clear that we had to act, but that action had to be safe and responsible, and I want to again thank the public for their patience and understanding."