Prosecute all 1,130 held at ‘Extinction protest’, say police

SCOTLAND Yard wants all 1,130 people arrested in the Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest prosecuted, plus tougher penalties to deter similar disorder.

The Metropolitan Police has set up a unit of 30 officers to investigate public order offences allegedly committed.

“It is our anticipation that we are putting all of those [arrested] to the Crown Prosecution Service,” said Laurence Taylor, deputy assistant commissioner. It would be the biggest mass prosecution for civil disobedience in at least 37 years: 752 were held at anti-nuclear protests at Upper Heyford in 1982.

Arrested XR protestors include Olympic gold medal canoeist Etienne Stott, carried from Waterloo Bridge by four officers as he shouted “ecological crisis”. More than 70 activists, including a 77-year-old woman from Powys, have so far been charged. The London demonstration, where crowds blocked roads, cost police at least £7.5million.

Mr Taylor said police are in talks with the Home Office to review public order legislation. Prosecutors currently can bring only summary charges heard by magistrates with more limited sentencing power. “We would like to see consequences for any activity at these events that is unlawful,” he said.