Why did the police just mill around while Waterloo Bridge was put out of use for days?
SIR – I walked across Waterloo Bridge on Thursday while visiting London. I was stunned to find that
1) the bridge was completely closed to vehicular traffic;
2) there were more than 20 policemen milling around;
3) the police had allowed protesters to set up, in the middle of the bridge, what amounted to a camp, with a stage for live musicians and stalls at which food was being cooked.
Freedom of speech and peaceful protest are one thing. Obstruction and tying up police resources are quite another (not to mention increasing emissions as public and private transport find a route across the river).
The message that came across was the utter incompetence of the Mayor of London and the police to uphold the law and fulfil the functions for which they were elected and are paid.
If the police cannot deal with this situation, why are we surprised at their inability to control knife crime? Robin Williams
Liphook, Hampshire SIR – The country, under Theresa May, hasn’t taken back control of our borders, money and laws. Will the politicians have more success taking back control of Waterloo Bridge? Simon Mcilroy
Croydon, Surrey
SIR – Since the Government cannot deal with the activities of Extinction Rebellion, those hit by these activities could take their own legal action.
Transport for London obviously has a case against those disrupting trains and buses. Private individuals such as taxi drivers and workers are clearly taking financial losses. They could sue Extinction Rebellion and individual protesters, either themselves or as part of a class action.
A first move would be to obtain an injunction preventing the defendant from disposing of assets other than those required for a reasonable living.
It would be quite effective if an individual sufferer were to take action against one of the “famous” wellheeled protesters and win a significant award. I wonder whether Extinction Rebellion has done a risk assessment. R E Nickson
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
SIR – A portion of yesterday’s Today programme was naturally devoted to the disorder in London. In keeping with its instincts, the BBC examined the issues relating to climate change, thereby granting the protesters more coverage for this debate.
It might have been more pertinent if the BBC had examined what should be done to stop people abusing the right of peaceful protest to cause great disruption to the general public in their normal lives. It is akin to terrorism, albeit with less violence. Ronnie Bradford
Vienna, Austria
SIR – How fortunate that the followers of Extinction Rebellion have the time and resources to disrupt the lives of the majority that do not. Victoria Baillon
Hornblotton, Somerset SIR – Is it not hypocritical of Dame Emma Thompson to join the protest by flying in from Los Angeles where she spent her birthday? It seems to be: “Don’t do as I do. Do as I say.” Marion Martin
Ross-on-wye, Herefordshire
SIR – When Home Secretary, Mrs May refused permission for water cannon to be used in London. Does she now regret forcing the Mayor of London to sell off the equipment at great loss to the public purse? LA Lawrence
Devizes, Wiltshire
SIR – An Extinction Rebellion protester said on television that she would not have children until climate change is fully dealt with. This is a commitment that all of these activists could usefully embrace, as an alternative to disrupting the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people. Benefits would be gained on a number of levels. Peter Sharp
Billericay, Essex