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More than 200 arrested in motorway protests despite court injunction

A further 52 people have been arrested after storming the M25 and blocking traffic, reports have revealed.

It comes after National Highways, formerly Highways England, was granted an interim injunction preventing further protests on the motorway.

The motoring regulator also secured a further injunction against protestors who have been carrying out demonstrations on the A20, spanning London to Dover, and strategic roads linked to the Port of Dover.

Those who breach the order risk up to two years in prison and an unlimited fine for contempt of court.

But the latest reports reveal that Insulate Britain, an Extinction Rebellion splinter group, have continued to wreak havoc on Britain’s roads.

According to Sky News, some 52 activists were arrested and taken into custody on Monday morning after blocking the M25, the sixth protest in two weeks. It means more than 200 people involved with demonstrations have now been arrested.

It is believed that those arrested on Monday have been released under investigation.

Commenting on the arrests, Insulate Britain said in a statement: “This morning 52 people that have been involved in Insulate Britain’s two weeks of motorway protests blocked the M25 in breach of the injunction granted by the High Court last Tuesday.”

The campaigners added that they were “more scared of climate change than we are of breaking an injunction”.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “We are absolutely committed to protecting the right to peaceful protest, but it is unacceptable that people cannot go about their day-to-day businesses and that businesses or critical supplies should be put on a knife’s edge because of the reckless actions of a few protesters.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel added: “We will not tolerate the recklessness of these few activists and the police continue to have our full support in cracking down on their dangerous behaviour.”

National Highways said it will return to court to extend the injunction.

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