Three arrested 'across UK' on suspicion of orchestrating M25 eco protests

15 September 2021, 20:30 | Updated: 16 September 2021, 07:08

Enraged drivers plead with protesters to move out of the road

By Patrick Grafton-Green

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of orchestrating the Insulate Britain protests that saw the M25 blocked twice this week, sparking major traffic disruption.

The Metropolitan Police said this evening that the arrests took place "across the country" on Wednesday.

Police from various forces earlier confirmed 71 climate protesters had been arrested after they blocked parts of the M25.

READ MORE: Eco mob brings CHAOS to M25 as cars crash and drivers tell LBC 'we’ll lose our jobs'

Dozens of activists stopped traffic on three sections of Britain's busiest motorway shortly after 8am - the second time in three days - demanding government action on home insulation.

They targeted Junctions 1a and 1b for Dartford, Kent, the main carriageway between Junction 8 at Reigate and Junction 9 at Leatherhead, Surrey, and Junction 23 for South Mimms, Hertfordshire.

Demonstrators sat on the road while stranded motorists beeped their horns. Some protesters had glued themselves to the road.

Videos posted on social media showed angry drivers remonstrating with the activists.

Furious cafe owner refuses to take money from climate protesters

Surrey Police said there had also been a crash, involving multiple vehicles, at Junction 9.

It was "too early in the investigation" to know if the crash was linked to the protests, the force said.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng commented: "These actions are not only highly disruptive to those going to work and transporting vital goods, but are putting lives at risk on a busy motorway.

"Not to mention the resulting traffic delays will only add to vehicle emissions."

AA president Edmund King said: "Whilst most people understand the need to take action on climate change, these motorway blockade tactics are just backfiring as they are alienating the working public stuck in this chaos and subsequently pumping out more emissions."

Insulate Britain protest: Nick Ferrari's take on how police should react

He added: "Essential deliveries, emergency services, people missing hospital and business appointments are all hit by these blockades.

"Hopefully the police will take immediate action to unblock the arteries of Britain."

Surrey Police said it worked with the Metropolitan Police to deal with the protesters, making 32 arrests.

Hertfordshire Police said it arrested 18 people.

Superintendent Adam Willmot said: "Our officers were on the scene within minutes of us being alerted to the protest, and attempted to engage with the group, working to balance the rights of people to protest with the rights of those affected by their presence.

"However, protestors ignored repeated requests from officers to move to a safer and less disruptive location, and alleged that they had glued themselves to the Tarmac, making it clear that their aim was to cause as much disruption as possible."

Man forcibly drags Insulate Britain protestor on M25 near Heathrow

Kent Police said it arrested 21 people for obstructing the highway.

Insulate Britain said 89 of its members took part in the demonstration on Wednesday.

It said in a statement: "We demand credible action now.

"Proper jobs for hundreds of thousands of people to start the first real step - to insulate all the homes of this country - which, pound for pound, gives us the biggest reduction in carbon emissions.

"It is a total no-brainer and yet this government refuses to get on with the job. This is criminal negligence."

A protest by the same group on Monday blocked five junctions of the M25, leading to tens of thousands of drivers being stuck in huge queues of traffic and dozens of arrests.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Conor Maynard shared a health update after his fall

Singer Conor Maynard gives health update after being rushed to hospital on stretcher

Lisa Smith, 43, has been named by Kent Police as the victim of the shooting on Valentine's Day

Mother-of-two shot dead at pub on Valentines’ Day is named - as tributes paid to ‘wonderful mum’

Bafta winners

Conclave and The Brutalist win big at 2025 BAFTA awards - as absent Gascón nomination met with rousing applause

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the UK and Europe are facing a "generational" security challenge.

UK facing 'generational challenge on national security', says Starmer as PM says we 'need to do more'

A fire that engulfed luxury hotel Chiltern Firehouse reportedly started in a pizza oven.

Fire that engulfed celebrity haunt Chiltern Firehouse 'started in pizza oven' of luxury hotel

Julie Buckley, 54, has not been seen since late January when she went missing from the village of Christchurch, Cambridgeshire.

Man charged with murder in 'no-body' case after woman goes missing in Cambridgeshire

Exclusive
Trump is ‘shaking up our region’, says Israel's president.

Donald Trump is 'shaking up our region', says Israel's president as he 'reveals US leader's strategy' in Middle East

Exclusive
Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' as Israeli President labels 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

Israel must 'square the circle to get hostages out' says President, labelling 500 day wait 'tormenting, aching and painful’

A teacher who was knocked down by a group of kids playing playground game British Bulldog says she was left with a severe leg injury that left her out of work for months.

Summer camp teacher claiming £300k in damages after group of kids knock her down in famous playground game

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for peace talks with Russia as the war in Ukraine rages on.

US-Russia peace talks for Ukraine begin as Europe blocked out of Saudi Arabia meeting

Harry received a standing ovation at the closing ceremony.

Meghan's four-word response as Prince Harry receives standing ovation in emotional Invictus Games closing ceremony

Exclusive
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (far right) visits the Tapa NATO forward operating base in Estonia.

Starmer should send 'warships, combat brigade, and air squadrons' to Ukraine, says ex-armed forces minister

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull biggest layoffs in close to a decade amid plunging business confidence

Millions of jobs at risk as UK firms mull 'biggest layoffs in a decade' amid plunging business confidence

Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

'This isn't a political campaign, it's a legal process': Wes Streeting says campaign to free Lucy Letby is 'not right'

Exclusive
West Streeting, left, has back Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister said he was ready to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine.

Peace in Ukraine 'vital for Britain's freedom', says Streeting as he backs PM's calls for troops on the ground

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed

From Conclave to The Brutalist - the full 2025 BAFTA's winners list revealed