Chaos on the M25 as Protester Climbs Gantry at Heathrow Junction
Tuesday morning’s rush hour on the M25 came to a grinding halt after a man climbed onto the overhead gantry at junction 14. The stunt sparked chaos, shutting the road and causing huge delays around Heathrow Airport.
Quick Police Response Ends Drama
Officers swooped onto the scene just 10 minutes after the drama began at 8am. By 8.30am, the man was safely removed and arrested. He was taken into custody at a South London police station. The road reopened shortly after, with traffic flowing again by 8.46am.
Wider Crackdown Sees 16 Arrested
This arrest was part of a bigger joint police operation involving the Met, Essex Police, Surrey Police, and Kent Police. In total, 16 activists were detained on Tuesday during coordinated raids targeting the Just Stop Oil group’s protest actions.
Assistant Commissioner Hits Out at Protest Cost
Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: “The Met, in a joint operation with neighbouring forces, has again responded swiftly and robustly to today’s attempts by Just Stop Oil activists to disrupt the M25.
“We’re fully committed to delivering a quick and effective response to those who disrupt people’s daily lives.
“Since early October, we’ve deployed over 11,000 officer shifts policing Just Stop Oil protests. That’s officers not available to tackle knife crime, burglaries, and safeguard communities.
“We’re determined to bring to justice those causing unreasonable disruption to London and the motorway network. We’ll work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and courts to make sure they face the consequences.”
22 people have already been charged as part of this ongoing crackdown on the protest group.
