Police need to use ‘intrusive surveillance’ on group, says ex-counter terrorism chief

POLICE must place Extinction Rebellion under “intrusive surveillance” after eco-warriors succeeded in blockading newspaper printing presses, according to Britain’s former most senior terrorism officer.

Richard Walton, the ex-chief of counter terrorism at the Metropolitan Police, said Friday night’s protests had exposed “an intelligence gap” that had caught out police. He said surveillance of the group was now justified because Extinction Rebellion’s activities amounted to “serious criminality”.

Such measures, it is understood, could include the interception of electronic messages and the deployment of undercover officers to monitor the group’s activities.

Hertfordshire police are facing stinging criticism for their initial reaction after issuing a statement as the disruption unfolded, declaring the force was committed to facilitating peaceful protest and ensuring compliance with the law. Extinction Rebellion claimed just six officers initially attended after alarmed print workers dialled 999.

Last night, however, the force said the action was illegal and announced 51 people had been charged with obstruction of the highway. David Lloyd, Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner, said: “Clearly these are events we do not want to see repeated, and I will be talking to the chief in the coming days about any lessons which can be learned.”

A further 26 people have been charged with aggravated trespass at a separate printing site in Knowsley in Merseyside. Yesterday Scotland Yard put in place officers to protect the newspapers affected by Friday’s blockade, including The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, The Times and the Daily Mail.

Extinction Rebellion denies it is an extremist organisation, saying it has thousands of members including grandmothers and professional workers who believe disruption is justified in the cause of saving the planet.