Insulate Britain protests cost Met Police £4 million
The total cost for policing the group is estimated at around £4.3 million
Last updated 30th Dec 2021
The Metropolitan Police said it spent £4 million dealing with Insulate Britain's road-blocking protests between 13th September and 20th November.
Some 6,651 of the force's officers and staff were involved, at a cost of £3.1 million.
A further £600,000 was spent on deploying vehicles, while the overtime cost was £300,000.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, described the cost of policing the protests as "staggering".
He said: "Unfortunately we have to police what's put in front of us.
"It's disgusting that we're having to spend that sort of money on these protests."
Mr Marsh described responding to the demonstrations on 70mph motorways as "some of the most dangerous things my colleagues have had to do".
Policing Insulate Britain's protests cost estimated at £4.3 million
Four other forces provided figures totalling more than £300,000 but only included overtime bills, meaning the actual cost of policing protests in their areas was considerably higher.
They were Hertfordshire Constabulary (£185,000), Surrey Police (£110,000), City of London Police (£44,000) and Greater Manchester Police (£10,000).
Altogether policing the climate group's stunts cost taxpayers at least £4.3 million, an investigation has found.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was "appalled" by the bill, which was disclosed by police forces in response to Freedom of Information requests by the PA news agency.
Mr Shapps said: "I am appalled at the amount of time and public money that's been spent policing the selfish actions of Insulate Britain.
"Not only did their guerrilla tactics wreak havoc on our roads and inflict misery to thousands of motorists, but they diverted our emergency services away from vital work, costing the UK taxpayer millions in the process."
The group says it would 'much rather money was being spent on insulating homes'
Insulate Britain spokeswoman Tracey Mallaghan said the group would "much rather money was being spent on insulating homes and helping get people out of fuel poverty".
But she believes their actions have made home insulation "something people are talking about".
Asked why they blocked roads rather than conducted legal protests, she replied: "When we went to Parliament as Insulate Britain, that just didn't get the same amount of (media) coverage.
"It seems the only way we can get air time is by annoying enough ordinary people."
She added: "I just can't look my children in the face and say 'this problem is too big, we're not going to do anything'.
"Our Government has proved time and time again they're not doing what is necessary for our children, for the future. So how can we stop?"