200 arrested in oil terminal protests
MORE than 200 people have been arrested as climate change activists entered a third day of protests at oil terminals.
Warwickshire Police said the force has made 54 arrests for offences including criminal damage, obstructing the highway and public order in relation to the protest at Kingsbury Oil Terminal.
In Essex, officers have arrested a total of 155 people following protests in the Thurrock district.
Activists from Just Stop Oil have been blocking access to oil terminals over the last three days, demanding that the Government stops new oil and gas projects.
Warwickshire Police said yesterday that a “significant operation remains ongoing” at Kingsbury, with officers working to bring the situation to a resolution “as soon as possible”.
Assistant Chief Constable Ben Smith, who is leading the operation, said: “We fully acknowledge every person’s right to engage in lawful protest; however, when that protest becomes unlawful and disproportionate in nature, we will act to protect the rights of others.
“Due to the nature and scale of the policing operation, a large number of officers have been deployed over the past two days.
“Although policing services have been effectively maintained across the rest of the county, I am hopeful the situation can be brought to a swift conclusion so my officers can return to protecting the communities of Warwickshire.”
Essex Police said 63 arrests were made on Friday, 57 on Saturday and a further 35 on Sunday, for a variety of offences.
Activists from Just Stop Oil said on Saturday that they had blocked access to the Titan Truck Park and revealed a secret underground network of tunnels at the Navigator and Grays oil terminals.