The Metropolitan Police said its “significant” operation had resulted in the arrest of at least three people who had “strong grounds to believe they intended to cause reckless and serious public disturbance”. In a statement released late Sunday, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “Acting on information, this operation is moving quickly and will continue this afternoon and overnight with multiple arrest inquiries underway. “So far this afternoon we have made three arrests connected to this activity. “This is an evolving situation and we suspect that the intent of these individuals is disproportionate to any legitimate right to protest and clearly crosses the line into illegal activity. “Our investigation has strong grounds to suspect that the Just Stop Oil group intends to disrupt major motorway road networks, which would seriously risk harming the public, with reckless acts of public obstruction on a large scale.” The suspects were arrested for alleged conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, according to the Met Police. Mr Twist warned that “there is a possibility” that other suspects “still intend to cause an unlawful disturbance to the public”. The Met has mobilized specialist teams and called in police officers from across London to respond, he added. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 2:05 Just Stop Oil removed from London streets Image: File image “undue disturbance” “We’re calling on the public to help us,” Mr Twist said. “Remain alert – if you see anything suspicious or witness an attempt to disrupt, call 999 immediately. “Businesses like these have costs. Since early October we have used more than 10,000 officer shifts to police Just Stop Oil protests. “These are officers who would otherwise be dealing with issues of importance to local communities such as knife crime, protection and tackling burglaries. “We are determined to bring to justice anyone who conspires to cause significant and unreasonable disturbance in London or to cause damage to buildings, property or valuables. “It is what the public has come to expect and we will work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts to ensure this happens.” Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 1:19 The moment protesters walked off the QE2 bridge Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 3:20 Who are Just Stop Oil? National Highways has secured a High Court injunction to prevent Just Stop Oil protesters from disrupting England’s busiest motorway. The court issued a further injunction aimed at stopping illegal protests on the M25, which rings Greater London, in a bid to end disruption of the busy road by the environmental group. It means that anyone who enters the highway and attaches to any object or structure thereon, and anyone who assists in such an act, may be held in contempt of court. They could face jail time, an unlimited fine and asset forfeiture. Read more: Just Stop Oil has this message for people affected. Mother, 62, who deflates SUV tires wants ‘army of middle-aged women’ to join her Just Stop Oil attracted widespread attention and heavy criticism in recent weeks for their stunts which included spraying orange paint on buildings and scaling a bridge to force the closure of the M25 Dartford Crossing. Climate change campaigners staged 32 days of unrest from late September and throughout October, which the Met said resulted in 677 arrests with 111 people charged. Protesters are calling on the government to abandon plans to license more than 100 new oil and gas projects by 2025 and do more to help people with skyrocketing energy bills.
