Police arrest 23 people at oil protests across Essex

Police have made 23 arrests following protests and disruption by Just Stop Oil activists in Essex.

Police were called about 06:00 BST to three sites in Thurrock - a roadblock in St Clements Way, Chafford Hundred railway station, and an industrial site at Askews Farm Lane in Grays.

Just Stop Oil said about 30 people were involved in the action.

The force said it was "not anti-protest" but needed to "intervene when there is a risk to life".

Police said arrests had been made at a road block in St Clements Way, which leads to Navigator Terminal, and further arrests were made at the railway station.

More arrests took place at the site in Askews Farm Lane and officers said they were responding to reports of people "at height" which may require specialist equipment to get them down safely.

Insp Stuart Austin said: "We are working to resolve these situations as quickly and safely for all those involved."

He said the force had "acted swiftly" and road disruption was "minimal".

Officers closed Saint Clements Way and Stoneness Road due to "the discovery of two tunnels", but Saint Clements Way has since reopened.

The force said the closures were "to allow an assessment to be made for the safety for all road users".

"I want to be clear - policing is not anti-protest, but we must intervene where there is a risk to life or where laws are being broken," Mr Austin said.

There were several weeks of similar protests around the M25 motorway and oil facilities earlier this year, that did cause disruption to traffic.

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