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The Tube network’s wi-fi was switched off by police this morning to impede a planned climate protest that could cripple London's transport network.

Commuters complained of a total lack of wi-fi and reported seeing a heightened police presence on platforms.

Activists were thought to be planning to glue themselves to trains during the third day of the Extinction Rebellion climate protest in London.

British Transport Police said: “In the interests of safety and to prevent and deter serious disruption to the London Underground network, British Transport Police has taken the decision to restrict passenger WiFi connectivity at Tube stations."

The climate change campaign group has said it is planning to "non-violently disrupt London Underground services to highlight the emergency of ecological collapse" on Wednesday if the Government does not meet its members.

It came as protester and climate lawyer Farhana Yamin, who was arrested on Tuesday, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I totally want to apologise to people who have been using public transport… but at the same time we need to take actions that are disruptive and the reason for that is to make sure that everyone understands the dangers we are facing now.

“It’s taken reluctantly but I feel that people should understand that we are at such a critical moment in humanity’s history.

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

“I think it’s an opportunity for people who are affected to maybe take a pause in their lives and to think what have we come to at this point that people are taking this kind of action, why is this necessary?”

Commuters have taken to Twitter to complain the Tube's wi-fi is not working amid a significant police presence in the capital.

One wrote: “Police on tube platforms and platform WiFi disabled to stop those extinction protestors coordinating.”

Some 290 people have been arrested so far this week in connection with demonstrations by the Extinction Rebellion group.

Scotland Yard said "contingency plans are in place should custody suites become full" amid more planned disruption.

Extinction Rebellion said yesterday: "Participants will peacefully break the law in order to stop the Tube and then will wait to be arrested.

"We sincerely apologise to all those who may suffer as a consequence of this disruption. In any other circumstances we would never dream of disrupting the Tube but this is an emergency.

"We request that workers do not intervene in the protests to ensure that they go as smoothly and safely as possible for all involved."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he shared the passion of the protesters about the urgent need to tackle climate change he was "extremely concerned" about plans.

In a statement posted on Twitter he said: "It is absolutely crucial to get more people using public transport, as well as walking and cycling, if we are to tackle this climate emergency - and millions of Londoners depend on the Underground network to get about their daily lives in our city.

"Targeting public transport in this way would only damage the cause of all of us who want to tackle climate change, as well as risking Londoners' safety and I'd implore anyone considering doing so to think again."

Demonstrations have been taking place at Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch.

The protests have led to road closures, traffic gridlock and serious disruption to public transport and local businesses, with 55 bus routes closed and 500,000 people affected.