Former senior police officers will risk arrest as they join the climate protest on Monday despite pleas from their colleagues over the waste of resources.

Just days after the Metropolitan Police warned that the protests were taking officers away from other vital roles and placing a greater burden on the force than terrorism, several retired officers have released a video explaining why they have joined Extinction Rebellion.

The most senior is Rob Cooper, 60, a former Chief Superintendent of Devon and Cornwall police.

He is risking arrest when he attends the protest in London on Monday, when the group has vowed to shut down Westminster.

Mr Cooper, who retired a decade ago, said: “We really do face a climate emergency.

“There are times when I really struggle. I have three children and I have a grandchild.”