Police have “proactively” arrested Just Stop Oil protesters suspected of planning to cause major disruption on UK motorways.

The Metropolitan Police said their “significant” operation had resulted in at least three people being detained, who the force had “strong reason to believe are intent on causing reckless and serious disruption to the public”.

In a statement released late on Sunday, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Acting on intelligence, this operation is fast-moving and will continue this evening and overnight with multiple arrest enquiries underway.

“So far this evening we have made three arrests linked to this activity.

“This is an evolving situation and we suspect the intent of these individuals is disproportionate to any legitimate right to protest and clearly crosses the line into unlawful activity.

“Our investigation has strong reason to suspect the Just Stop Oil group intend to disrupt major motorway road networks which would risk serious harm to the public, with reckless action to obstruct the public on a large scale.”

The suspects were arrested for allegedly conspiring to cause public nuisance, according to the Met Police.

Just Stop Oil activists spray orange paint over Home Office, MI5, News UK and Bank of England buildings

Just Stop Oil activists spray orange paint on Rolex store in Knightsbridge

Just Stop Oil protesters spray paint over Bentley, Ferrari and Bugatti showrooms in London

Mr Twist warned there “remains a possibility” that other suspects are “still intent on causing unlawful disruption to the public”.

The Met has mobilised specialist teams and drawn police officers from across London to respond, he added.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

‘Unreasonable disruption’

“We are calling on the public to assist us,” Mr Twist said. “Remain vigilant – if you see something suspicious or witness an attempt to cause disruption call 999 immediately.

“Operations like these come at a cost. Since the start of October we have used more than 10,000 officer shifts to police Just Stop Oil protests.

“These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues that matter to local communities, such as knife crime, safeguarding and responding to burglaries.

“We are determined to bring to justice all of those who conspire to cause significant and unreasonable disruption to London, or cause damage to buildings, property or valuables.

“It’s what the public expects, and we’ll work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and courts to make sure this happens.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

National Highways has secured a High Court injunction to prevent Just Stop Oil protesters disrupting England’s busiest motorway.

The court has granted a further injunction which aims to stop unlawful demonstrations on the M25, which encircles Greater London, in an attempt to end disruption to the busy road by the environmental group.

It means that anyone entering the motorway and fixing themselves to any object or structure on it, and anyone assisting in such an act, can be held in contempt of court.

They could face imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and the seizure of assets.

Read more:
Just Stop Oil have this message for people who are affected
Mother, 62, who deflates SUV tyres wants ‘army of middle-aged women’ to join her

Just Stop Oil have attracted widespread attention, and fierce criticism, in recent weeks for their stunts which have involved spraying orange paint on buildings and scaling a bridge to force the closure of the M25 Dartford Crossing.

The climate change activists staged 32 days of disruption from the end of September and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged.

The protesters have been calling on the government to abandon plans to licence more than 100 new oil and gas projects by 2025, and to do more to help people with their skyrocketing energy bills.

Related posts:

Warning not to ‘drop guard’ after vaccine as 1 in 14 people hospitalised have had first jab Thousands still sleeping rough despite govt campaign to provide housing during lockdown UK reports zero daily COVID-related deaths for first time since pandemic began Police hunt up to seven attackers after boy, 14, stabbed to death in Birmingham No more COVID rules in England before New Year, Javid confirms Alan Carr’s husband Paul Drayton cries in dock after being spared prison for drink-driving Magistrates’ sentencing powers doubled in bid to tackle courts backlog New pictures show Prince Charles as a teenager at boarding school Disruption for thousands of holidaymakers as easyJet, British Airways and Wizz Air cancel flights Woman whose death is being treated as murder is named as university lecturer Two women taken to hospital after car crashed into pub Watch the Queen lying in state