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Extinction Rebellion has called off plans to shut down Heathrow Airport with a wave of protests during the peak holiday season.

The protesters announced last month they were intending to stage several days of non-violent action over plans to expand the airport with a third runway.

It was due to start on Tuesday, with further demonstrations planned for ten days from July 1, and threatened to cause chaos at a peak time for holidaymakers.

A leaked internal memo had shown drones would potentially be used to stage the protest , prompting the government to warn that any such demonstrations would be met with the "full force of the law".

Heathrow also said using drones would be "reckless" and could endanger lives.

But the campaign group announced today that it had decided to cancel the action.

Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 120 show all Extinction Rebellion protest 2019 - In pictures 1/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA 2/120 Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP 3/120 A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP 4/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 5/120 Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA 6/120 Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 7/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA 8/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn 9/120 Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10/120 olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 11/120 Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA 12/120 A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 13/120 A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 14/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 15/120 Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA 16/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA 17/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 18/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 19/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 20/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 21/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA 22/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 23/120 Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA 24/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters 25/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station 26/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC 27/120 A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 28/120 Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters 29/120 Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati 30/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 31/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 32/120 Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA 33/120 A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images 34/120 Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 35/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 36/120 Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 37/120 A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA 38/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images 39/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images 40/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS 41/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images 42/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 43/120 Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 44/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA 45/120 Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 46/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 47/120 Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 48/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 49/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 50/120 An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images 51/120 Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA 52/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 53/120 Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 54/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 55/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA 56/120 Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 57/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 58/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 59/120 Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 60/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 61/120 Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 62/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 63/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 64/120 An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 65/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 66/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 67/120 Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 68/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 69/120 Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 70/120 Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 71/120 Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 72/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 73/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 74/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 75/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 76/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 77/120 An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images 78/120 Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images 79/120 Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images 80/120 A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters 81/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 82/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 83/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 84/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 85/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 86/120 A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 87/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 88/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 89/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 90/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 91/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 92/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 93/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters 94/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 95/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 96/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 97/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 98/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 99/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 100/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 101/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 102/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 103/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 104/120 Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn 105/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters 106/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 107/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 108/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 109/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 110/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 111/120 The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA 112/120 The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA 113/120 Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn 114/120 They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn 115/120 A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA 116/120 A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn 117/120 The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn 118/120 They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA 119/120 Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA 120/120 A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA 1/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London PA 2/120 Protesters march toward Parliament in London AP 3/120 A cardboard cutout of David Attenborough is held up as protesters march toward parliament with Nelson's Column in the background AP 4/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 5/120 Protesters at the Extinction Rebellion (XR) camp in Marble Arc PA 6/120 Police watch Extinction Rebellion protesters at their final destination of Parliament Square in Westminster after marching from their camp at Marble Arch PA 7/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters reach their final destination of Parliament Square in WestminsteR PA 8/120 A climate change protester in a hammock hanging from the trees at Parliament Square, London Jeremy Selwyn 9/120 Police officers arrest and carry away a climate change activist from a demonstration blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 10/120 olice officers gather for an operation at the climate change camp where activists are blocking Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 11/120 Police surround the Extinction Rebellion demonstration PA 12/120 A climate change activist is detained during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 13/120 A police officer removes a haystack during the Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Reuters 14/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 15/120 Protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus EPA 16/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge PA 17/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 18/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 19/120 Extinction Rebellion campaign group block Oxford Circus Alex Lentati 20/120 Extinction Rebellion protest on Waterloo Bridge Jeremy Selwyn 21/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station in east London as part of the ongoing climate change protests in the capital PA 22/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 23/120 Two men and two women from the Extinction Rebellion group have glued themselves to a fence outside Jeremy Corbyn's house PA 24/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist at Waterloo Bridge Reuters 25/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station 26/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station BBC 27/120 A climate activist after he glued himself to a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 28/120 Police detain a protester as climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest, at Canary Wharf DLR station Reuters 29/120 Protesters blockade of Waterloo Bridge on the third day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion grou Alex Lentati 30/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 31/120 Extinction Rebellion Jeremy Selwyn 32/120 Police talk to climate activists who climbed on top of a Dockland Light Railway train and glued theimselves to the carriage at Canary Wharf station in east London PA 33/120 A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train AFP/Getty Images 34/120 Climate change activists demonstrate during the Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 35/120 Climate activists ontop of a Dockland Light Railway at Canary Wharf station PA 36/120 Officers carry an activist as they remove demonstrators from their blockade of Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 37/120 A member of the public passes a graffiti left by protesters from the Extinction Rebellion campaign group EPA 38/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridg Getty Images 39/120 Police officers remove protesters from a blockade on Waterloo Bridge during the second day of a coordinated protest by the Extinction Rebellion group Getty Images 40/120 Police officers detain a climate change activist REUTERS 41/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group, in London AFP/Getty Images 42/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 43/120 Commuters cycle past a pink boat placed in the road at Oxford Circus by activists, on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 44/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, London, as more than 100 people have been arrested as police deal with ongoing climate change protests PA 45/120 Activists sit in the road amongst trees as they continue to block traffic from Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 46/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 47/120 Activists sit with thier tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 48/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 49/120 Activists sit attached beneath a lorry as they block the road on Waterloo Bridge on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 50/120 An activist brushes his teeth after waking up near Marble Arch AFP/Getty Images 51/120 Pedestrians walk to work over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protest EPA 52/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 53/120 Activists take part in yoga in the road after after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 54/120 Climate change demonstrators on Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 55/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch, PA 56/120 Activists sit with their tents in the road after sleeping at Oxford Circus on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 57/120 Demonstrators chain and glue themselves to a lorry on Waterloo Bridge in London during a Extinction Rebellion protest PA 58/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 59/120 Pedestrians walk over Waterloo Bridge during climate change protests EPA 60/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 61/120 Activists lay in their tents in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 62/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 63/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 64/120 An activist sits in a sleeping back after waking up near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 65/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 66/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest continues in Marble Arch PA 67/120 Activists block the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 68/120 Extinction Rebellion demonstrators camp near Marble Arch PA 69/120 Activists pour drinks near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 70/120 Activists' tents stand in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 71/120 Activists prepare drinks from a tent in the road near Marble Arch on the second day of an environmental protest by the Extinction Rebellion group AFP/Getty Images 72/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 73/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 74/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 75/120 Extinction Rebellion at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 76/120 Police patrol during the second day of Extinction Rebellion protest at Parliament Jeremy Selwyn 77/120 An activist sprays graffiti on to the porch covering the entrance to the Shell Centre AFP/Getty Images 78/120 Protesters unfurl a poster accusing shell of 'ecoside' AFP/Getty Images 79/120 Climate protesters also scaled the building and daubed slogans above a glass awning AFP/Getty Images 80/120 A woman glued her hands to the door of the building Reuters 81/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion arrive to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 82/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus with a sailing boat to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 83/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 84/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 85/120 Environmental protesters from the Extinction Rebellion group arrive with a tree to stage a demonstration on Waterloo Bridge AFP/Getty Images 86/120 A demonstrator uses a makeshift skateboard ramp on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 87/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 88/120 Environment activists from Extinction Rebellion block Oxford Circus to highlight the threat of global warming on the planet and ecosystem Rex Features 89/120 Extinction Rebellion protesters stop traffic in Oxford Circus Rex Features 90/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 91/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 92/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 93/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge surrounded by trees Reuters 94/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest at Marble Arch PA 95/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 96/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 97/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 98/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 99/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 100/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 101/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 102/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 103/120 Extinction Rebellion at Marble Arch Jeremy Selwyn 104/120 Police stroll through the makeshift camp Jeremy Selwyn 105/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest i Reuters 106/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 107/120 Climate change activists set up a miniature garden on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protes Reuters 108/120 Demonstrators protest on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 109/120 Climate change activists demonstrate on Waterloo Bridge during an Extinction Rebellion protest Reuters 110/120 Demonstrators during a Extinction Rebellion protest in Parliament Square PA 111/120 The Extinction Rebellion protesters have set up camp in Hyde Park PA 112/120 The group plan to disrupt London's infrastructure in a climate protest PA 113/120 Thousands of people are due to descend on the capital to take part Jeremy Selwyn 114/120 They have set up a large camp in Hyde Park Jeremy Selwyn 115/120 A crowd of protesters gathers in Hyde Park, London PA 116/120 A protester sits in a hammock at the campsite Jeremy Selwyn 117/120 The protest could last days or even weeks Jeremy Selwyn 118/120 They have pledged to block five central locations including Parliament Square in a non-violent act of resistance PA 119/120 Protesters will converge on Marble Arch, Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, as well as near Parliament, peacefully blocking traffic PA 120/120 A protester sits by an activity timetable in Hyde Park PA

It said in a statement: "Extinction Rebellion (XR) will not be carrying out any actions at Heathrow Airport in June or July this year, aimed at causing disruption to holidaymakers and those planning to use the airport in this period.

"The Heathrow Airport authorities will therefore not have to pause any summer flights."

However, the statement also included an "action plan" which the group said could be followed if the plan is revived.

It said Heathrow had not been removed from its strategic plan and that the government's plans for a third runway "could not be more incompatible with the imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally".

The Metropolitan Police had issued a statement on Friday warning that any protestors who disrupted the airport would be dealt with in line with the law.

It said the planned action had the potential to cause "widespread disruption" and urged activists not to use drones in an effort to suspend flights.



In a plea to protesters, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: "As we have seen, the illegal use of drones at airports also has the capability to cause great disruption to the public, not only in London, but internationally.

Extinction Rebellion in South London - In pictures 13 show all Extinction Rebellion in South London - In pictures 1/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion swarm roads in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 2/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion block a road in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 3/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion swarm roads in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to driver PA 4/13 @XRLewisham 5/13 Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrate outside Lewisham station, South East PA 6/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 7/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 8/13 @XRLewisham 9/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 10/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 11/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion block a road in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 12/13 An Extinction Rebellion protester in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 13/13 Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrate outside Lewisham station, South East London PA 1/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion swarm roads in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 2/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion block a road in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 3/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion swarm roads in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to driver PA 4/13 @XRLewisham 5/13 Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrate outside Lewisham station, South East PA 6/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 7/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 8/13 @XRLewisham 9/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 10/13 Extinction Rebellion demonstration in Catford Alex Lentati 11/13 Protestors from the Extinction Rebellion block a road in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 12/13 An Extinction Rebellion protester in Catford, London, to protest air pollution, causing delays to drivers PA 13/13 Extinction Rebellion protesters demonstrate outside Lewisham station, South East London PA

"While it is our duty to deliver an appropriate plan for this protest, I want to make clear the impact this kind of activity has on frontline policing.

"This has the potential to cause widespread disruption, and in order to prevent this happening we have drawn vital police resources from across the capital."

He added: "We would urge anybody intending to join this event with a view to committing criminal activity, whether considered peaceful or not, to strongly reconsider."

The group, which had previously insisted it was still deciding whether to use drones in the protest, added in the the statement that accusations that XR was willing to endanger life was a "depressing and predictable smear".

XR said if drones are used for future demonstrations that operators would fly them at a maximum height of six feet within the restricted 5km zone surrounding Heathrow.

They would also not be flown within flight paths, but could still be used in areas that could force the airport "to safely close airspace", the group said.

The group added that airport authorities and the public would be given two months' notice of any planned action.

In December, there was chaos at Gatwick Airport for three days, when drone sightings resulted in around 1,000 flights being grounded, affecting 140,000 passengers.

The Ministry of Defence introduced detection systems capable of being deployed across the UK to combat the threat of drones in the wake of the Gatwick fiasco.

Extinction Rebellion has carried out several separate demonstrations over the past year.

In the most recent one on Friday, Extinction Rebellion Lewisham "swarmed" roads in south-east London in an attempt to put pressure on the Government over air quality .

Air pollution in the borough of Lewisham was found to be approximately six times higher than safe levels recommended by the World Health Organisation in 2017.