Insulate Britain: Protesters block roads leading to M25

Insulate Britain protesters have been squirted in the face with ink as they blocked major roads connecting to the M25, despite a new court injunction.

Nearly 50 demonstrators from the environmental group have been arrested at three sites, including on the A40 in west London during rush hour.

Protesters also blocked the A206 at Crossways Boulevard in Dartford.

A man sprayed protesters on the A40 with what appeared to be blue ink, as motorists became frustrated.

The protests come in response to government-owned National Highways securing a court injunction banning activities that obstruct traffic on its 4,300-mile network of motorways and major A-roads in England.

There are four court injunctions in place against the group, which the Department for Transport said covered the "entire strategic road network".

Insulate Britain said in a statement: "We are not concerned with endless injunctions. We are not concerned with our fears.

"We are concerned with fulfilling our duties and responsibilities at this 'period of consequence'.

"Starting from 07.00 BST on the morning of Wednesday 27 October, the M25 will become a place of non-violent civil resistance to stop our government committing crimes against humanity."

The Met Police arrested 17 activists on the A40 in Acton, six of whom had locked themselves to the ground but "specialist units are on scene to unglue them", the force said.

Thirty-two people have been arrested by Kent Police after traffic was obstructed at two locations in Dartford.

The group - an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion - wants the government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

Suzie, 47, a protester from Cambridge, who works in childcare, said: "If going to prison and losing my home is what it takes to get the government to do the right thing and cut our carbon emissions, then it's a price worth paying.

"I can't be a bystander while this government betrays the public, our children and future generations by failing to defend our country from the climate crisis."

She said she had been arrested 11 times since 13 September.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has previously accused Insulate Britain of "risking lives and ruining journeys".

He has said the "long term solution lies in changes to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill" to give "additional powers against disruptive protests".

Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Borough Council, also called for greater powers for police to prevent protests happening.

Mr Kite said: "The law needs to be beefed up so when they're talking about action in a couple of days' time, or predicting it tomorrow, the police ought to be able to pay them a visit at six o'clock in the morning and make sure they don't go out.

"These are people who are just spoiled and entitled and they're narcissistic in their aims, regardless of what they want to achieve, and what they want to do.

"There are other, better ways to do it in a free society and you cannot deprive one person of freedom, simply to establish yours."

He added: "Quite frankly, some of these people, rather than gluing themselves to a road, it's time they glued themselves to a job or glued themselves to something productive."

Those who break the injunctions could be found in contempt of court and face maximum penalty of two years in prison or an unlimited fine.

But prosecutions for this offence usually take several months.

Members of the group were also arrested on Monday after targeting London's financial district in Canary Wharf and the City of London during rush hour, obstructing Limehouse Causeway as well as nearby Liverpool Street, Bishopsgate and Upper Thames Street.