M25 traffic: Journalist arrests ‘wrong’ during protests, police commissioner says
A photographer, film-maker and LBC reporter covering Just Stop Oil protests were taken into custody this week
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A police commissioner has admitted officers “got it wrong” by arresting members of the press covering Just Stop Oil protesters on the M25.
A photographer, film-maker and LBC reporter were all taken into custody by Hertfordshire Police this week.
David Lloyd, the police and crime commissioner for the force, told LBC: “I am certain that there was no reason to arrest them such as you have given. As I said at the outset I think we got it wrong.”
Meanwhile Just Stop Oil returned to overhead gantries along the M25 on Thursday for the fourth day in a row.
The climate group once again shut down roads and caused delays along the motorway to call for an end to all new oil and gas. Traffic was brought to a standstill near Heathrow in the morning.
The Metropolitan, Surrey and Essex Police all arrested individuals over the action on Thursday.
Eight charged over attempts to cause M25 disruption
The Metropolitan Police has charged eight people with conspiracy to cause a public nuisance following attempts to cause disruption on the M25.
They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court later today.
Dartford Crossing lanes reopen
Lanes are now reopen around the Dartford Crossing - but built-up congestion is now approaching the tunnels:
Where are M25 closures?
Here are some road closures along the M25 this morning.
Between Junction 7 in Merstham and Junction 9 in Leatherhead:
Between Junction 27 in Epping and Junction 26 in Cheshunt:
Between Junction 16 in Uxbridge and Junction 15 around Heathrow:
J14-15 protester removed
The protester around Junction 14 and 15 has also been removed:
J7-8 protester arrested
Surrey Police has brought down and arrested the protester between Junction 7 and 8:
Dartford tunnel closed due to protest
Remember when Just Stop Oil targeted a bridge over the Dartford Crossing?
It looks like an activist is causing disruption in the area today as well.
The Dartford tunnel is closed while police deal with the protest:
M25 protest in Surrey
Surrey Police are also tweeting about a Just Stop Oil protest on a stretch of road in their area:
Police warn commuters to avoid the area
Police have warned commuters to avoid the area and find alternative routes as officers try to deal with protesters.
Hertfordshire Police said: “We are responding to reports of protest activity at junction 20 (Kings Langley) of the #M25. Officers are at the scene.
“Please avoid the area and seek an alternate route where possible. We’ll update you as soon as possible.”
M25 blocked by Just Stop Oil protesters at rush hour for second day running
Just Stop Oil protesters have blocked the M25 for the second day running, with rush hour traffic brought to a standstill.
The motorway is blocked anticlockwise at Junction 31 for Lakeside in Essex after protesters climbed gantries at the M1 junction.
Hertfordshire Police said: “We are responding to reports of protest activity at junction 20 (Kings Langley) of the #M25.
“Officers are at the scene. Please avoid the area and seek an alternate route where possible.”
Read the full story below:
M25 blocked by Just Stop Oil protesters at rush hour for second day running
Rush hour traffic in Essex brought to standstill
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Just Stop Oil protests on the M25.
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