Almost 200 arrests since climate change protests begin in London
Last updated 8th Sep 2021
Police have made 198 arrests for a variety of offences since members of climate change group Extinction Rebellion began protesting in Central London.
They are planning two weeks of action and want to disrupt the Capital as they try and stop the government from investing in fossil fuel companies.
Today (Wed) activists blockaded Oxford Circus, attaching themselves to structures, which they had to be removed from by specialist police officers.
Protesters formed a human chain and dozens were carried away by police to cheers from the crowd.
Pedestrians are being urged to find another way around the area.
The Met police force secured a public order to clear the area this afternoon, based on the belief that actions of protesters would 'result in serious disruption.'
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Twitter:
"Officers have intervened when protestors were building a structure at #OxfordCircus. Some individuals have glued themselves to the structure, specialist officers are working to support their removal.
"There will be some disruption to traffic in the area as roads are currently blocked, which we are working to reduce."
The demonstrations continue next week, when the activists will protest against the links between "big finance, fossil fuels and the fossil of politics that is Westminster".
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