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Footage from LBC showed police grabbing Insulate Britain activists and dragging them away from the roads following criticisms they were standing around doing nothing against previous protests. Friday marked the third protest from the group who have sat at junctions on the M25 bringing hours of delays to disgruntled motorists. But Essex Police who were waiting in Brentwood for the climate change protesters quickly swooped in and arrested several activists after Home Secretary Priti Patel told police to take “decisive action” against the demo.
On Monday, there were protests at junctions 20 for Kings Langley, Herts, 14 for Heathrow terminal four, three for Swanley in Kent, six for Godstone, Surrey and 31 for Lakeside, Essex.
But protesters repeated their demonstrations on Wednesday following large media coverage with many arrested protesters being let out either on conditional bail or under investigation.
Police handling the situation were criticised for standing around and not moving on the protesters with angry motorists squaring up to the activists.
Police authorities then came under pressure from the public and from the Home Office to crackdown on the protests.
Insulate Britain said 79 people attempted to block the London orbital motorway hours after their release from police custody following similar protests on Wednesday.
Junctions three, at Swanley in Kent, nine, at Leatherhead in Surrey, and 28, near Brentwood in Essex, were targeted. Surrey Police said officers had arrested 14 people at junction nine.
The force said: “We were made aware of protesters at junction 9 of the M25 earlier this morning. 14 people have been arrested.
“We were also made aware shortly after 9am of protesters at junction 1 of the M3. We are on the scene and arrests are being made. Further updates to follow.”
It is believed protests at junctions 3 and 9 of the M25 are also underway.
A group of protesters have also blocked junction 8 of the M11, and the A120 close to Stansted Airport is closed.
Footage from LBC showed police wasted no time moving people with several forcibly removed from the roads.
Some protesters remained in place but traffic was able to safely navigate around them.
During this week’s demonstrations, more than 200 arrests were made by police, who have been criticised for their handling of the protests and not clearing them “swiftly” enough.
Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley spoke with Liam Norton who was involved in the protest and asked about those disrupted in the traffic.
The GMB host pointed out: “Explain to me, for example, that the parent of a seven-year-old child who had an absolutely critical hospital appointment to deal with their potentially terminal cancer.
“An appointment that may potentially save their lives and they find themselves sitting behind one of your roadblocks for hours on end.
“And missing all that treatment, can you justify that?”
Mr Norton bluntly replied he would be furious and said if things were not changed now then the next few years could be severe for “humanity”.
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