'Stay out of Stop the Oil protests': Met tells drivers not to 'self-police' when eco-mob block roads

14 October 2022, 14:57 | Updated: 19 October 2022, 09:27

A police chief has told drivers who encounter Just Stop Oil protests not to take the law into their own hands.
A police chief has told drivers who encounter Just Stop Oil protests not to take the law into their own hands. Picture: Alamy / LBC

By Tim Dodd

A police chief has told drivers who encounter Just Stop Oil protests not to engage in 'self-policing'.

Commander Karen Findlay says she's now considering applying for court injunctions against repeat offenders glueing their hands or sitting on roads to block drivers, including emergency vehicles.

Over 200 officers per day are policing the demonstrations, diverting 7,000 Metropolitan Police hours from elsewhere.

But, speaking to the Standard, Ms Findlay warned frustrated road users against “self-policing” by dragging activists away or pushing them with their vehicles.

She said: “We are in no way tolerating criminality or anti-social behaviour. We are really alive to the impact on people coming to London.

Read more: Jeremy Hunt appointed Chancellor after Kwasi Kwarteng sacked

Read more: 'I want to be honest, this is difficult': Truss confirms tax u-turn after sacking chancellor Kwarteng

"Whilst we clearly facilitate protests, equally the concern is policing protracted protests. Resources are being moved away from policing local communities and being focused on London’s priorities, such as reducing knife crime.”

Ms Findlay added: “I can completely appreciate how some of the coverage generates questions about the length of time it takes officers to take action and remove these people.

“The issue about self-policing, we are not wanting people to feel that they have to do that. That is a job for the Metropolitan Police.

“We’ve arrested 376 people across the last 13 days. A high number of those have been bailed when there’s substantive offence involved — wilful obstruction and criminal damage.

“We’ve got the opportunity to bail people with conditions. It helps us manage the repeat offending.”

Just Stop Oil said: “We have tried everything else to make our criminal Government act.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Palestinians carry boxes and bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Controversial aid distributer accuses Hamas of carrying out attack on bus transporting Palestinians

A net balance of 28% of professionals reported seeing the number of sales agreed falling. Sales volumes are generally expected to flatten out rather than fall in the three months ahead, the survey indicated.

House sales tipped to bounce back with 'strongest outlook' since February - but buyer interest still slipping

Supporters of Dignity in Dying celebrate on hearing the result of the vote on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London.

UK doctor says helping patients die in Australia is a ‘tremendous privilege’ and calls for law change at home

The body of Yair Yaakov, 59, has reportedly been recovered.

Two more hostages recovered by Israeli forces in Gaza, Netanyahu says

There were reports of vehicles being damaged and burned out, stolen cars, motorbikes being used and bricks thrown at officers amid the disorder, Greater Manchester Police said.

Girl, 16, charged with assaulting an emergency worker in Salford after ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police

The affected products include the Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, “Misfits” Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, the FSA said.

'Don't eat them': Brits told to avoid popular American sweets linked to cancer amid 'toxicological concern'

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England

My mum finds Jude Bellingham’s on-field antics repulsive, says Thomas Tuchel

The jury found him not guilty of an additional sexual assault charge and have not yet returned a verdict on a charge of rape.

Harvey Weinstein found guilty in New York sexual assault retrial but acquitted on second charge

A fire broke out at a leisure centre in a town near Ballymena amid ongoing riots.

Masked thugs set leisure centre on fire as residents fear for their life in Ballymena

Brian Wilson performs Pet Sounds at the Pantages Theatre on May 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Legendary Beach Boys co-founder and primary songwriter Brian Wilson dies aged 82