Just Stop Oil activists in TEN counties arrested over airport disruption plans

Police forces struck groups in London, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Devon, Essex, Manchester, Surrey, Sussex, Norfolk and West Yorkshire.

Six supporters were arrested yesterday in London and a further 18 were arrested in co-ordinated police action across England.

The operation included several activists being arrested at home in dawn raids.

The force said it took action as “we know Just Stop Oil plan to disrupt airports and thousands of holidaymakers this summer”.

Chief Supt Ian Howells, who led the operation, said: “We know Just Stop Oil are planning to disrupt airports across the country this summer, which is why we have taken swift and robust action now.

“Our stance is very clear that anyone who compromises the safety and security of airports in London can expect a strong response from officers or security staff.

“Airports are complex operating environments which is why we are working closely with them, agencies and other partners on this operation.”

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In response to the wave of arrests, a Just Stop Oil spokesman said: “It isn’t a massive surprise.

“I think it speaks volumes when we’ve got a police force cracking down on non-violent Just Stop Oil supporters in this way.

“The people enacting criminal damage on an unimaginable scale against all of us – oil company executives and the politicians that they’ve bought, basically – when is it that those folks are going to face the full force of the law?”

Asked about the justification for planning to target airports during the key summer holiday period, the spokesman said: “In normal times, that kind of disruption would be entirely unacceptable.

“But you can’t really disassociate what we’re potentially planning on doing from the reasons why.”

He added that disruption is necessary because people are “dropping dead around the world” from extreme heat, and “tipping points” are being passed.

GB News first exposed the disruption plans at the end of May.

Speaking at the time, one aviation source told GB News: “This will be an absolute nightmare for the aviation industry.

“The disruption caused will not just severely impact people’s holiday and travel plans but will cost airlines and airports many millions of pounds in lost revenue.

“But the most worrying aspect of this direct action is the decision by these activists to break through perimeter fences or access airside doors to move onto the airport runways.

“By their very nature, the airside environment of any busy airport is highly active and extremely dangerous with constant aircraft movements around the airfield.

“Whatever their motivation, this direct action is deeply misguided as these activists will not only be putting themselves at risk but also members of the travelling public and airport staff.”