Met comes under pressure to crack down on the Extinction Rebellion demonstrators

Scotland Yard has defended its response to the rolling protests in London that have caused disruption to millions and pushed climate change towards the top of the national news agenda.

The Metropolitan police has come under increasing pressure to crack down on the Extinction Rebellion demonstrators who have blocked transport networks in the capital in recent days; not least from the home secretary, Sajid Javid, who has urged officers to “take a firm stance”.

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On Thursday, the force said the demonstrations were proving such a drain on resources that police were having to release under investigation many of those arrested, even if that meant they simply returned to the protest sites, while Easter leave was being cancelled for officers who were being asked to work 12-hour shifts.

Scotland Yard took the rare step of releasing a detailed statement setting out the difficulties they have faced keeping control of the protests, while avoiding infringing on the activists’ rights to demonstrate. It came on the same day as the protesters said their next target would be the UK’s largest airport – Heathrow.

Police said the demonstrators’ tactic of lying down meant four officers were needed to make an arrest and said there was no legal justification for more draconian measures, such as kettling and mass-arresting groups, because the demonstrations were peaceful.

“Those arrested are then taken into custody which again means our officers are off the streets temporarily while that process takes place,” the statement said.

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Police added: “We have been asked why we are not using tactics such as containment, physically and forcibly stopping the protesters from moving around. The simple answer is we have no legal basis to do so. These are peaceful protesters; while disruptive, their actions are not violent towards police, themselves or other members of the public.

“We are looking at other tactics, such as tighter police cordons, but again that is resource-intensive in terms of officer numbers and, more often than not, it just shifts the protesters to another location nearby and does not assist in reopening roads.”

Police said that, by Thursday night, more than 500 people had been arrested in connection with the protests; primarily on suspicion of minor offences. Ten of those have been charged with breaching section 14 of the Public Order Act, under which police can impose conditions on public assemblies to prevent serious disruption, and obstruction of the highway.

Police added: “It is better for us to keep our resources and custody capacity moving and flexible than leave protesters sitting in cells for up to 12 hours before going to court for what, although highly disruptive, are lower level offences.

“So, everyone else arrested has been released under investigation and will be brought back to be formally interviewed and charged as appropriate in due course. We are aware that means some protesters immediately return to the area to resume their activities; those people will be arrested again.”

Scotland Yard warned the protesters they face a “robust response” if they target Heathrow on Friday. The force said it has “strong plans” in place, while the airport said it is “working with the authorities” to address the issue.

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Earlier on Thursday, Javid held talks with the Met commissioner, Cressida Dick. He said: “Everyone has the right to protest peacefully … But people do not have the right to break the law.”

Javid added: “Let me be clear: I totally condemn any protesters who are stepping outside the boundaries of the law ... I expect the police to take a firm stance and use the full force of the law.”

The Met said it considered London’s Marble Arch a legal protest site but that three others – affected areas Parliament Square, Oxford Circus and Waterloo Bridge – were not and that conditions prohibiting demonstrations there had been extended until Sunday, Saturday and Friday, respectively.