Just Stop Oil protests: Activists arrested over M25 services damage

Police have arrested protesters after fuel pumps were damaged and activists glued themselves to service station forecourts on the M25.

Surrey Police said 20 people were held after protests at Clacket Lane and Cobham services, prompting fuel supplies to be cut at the sites.

A further 11 people were arrested after activists staged action at Thurrock services, Essex Police said.

All those detained had been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Just Stop Oil said 32 protesters had targeted three service stations on the M25 from 05:00 BST on Wednesday, including Clacket Lane on both clockwise and anticlockwise sides of the motorway, Cobham and Thurrock.

The group said its supporters blocked access to petrol stations by sitting in the road with banners, while some petrol pumps were vandalised.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said Cobham services petrol station had reopened after all protesters were removed, although some fuel pumps remained unusable after being damaged.

He said seven people arrested at Cobham remained in police custody.

Meanwhile, at Clacket Lane both petrol stations remained closed as officers continued to remove protesters from the services on the clockwise side of the M25.

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: "We understand that people have the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate criminal activities that affect our communities and businesses and will take swift and robust action to tackle such incidents."

On Tuesday, Just Stop Oil blocked two oil depots in Essex and Warwickshire, resulting in 35 arrests.

The group warned it would "continue the disruption until the government makes a statement that it will end new oil and gas projects in the UK".

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