Insulate Britain protestors back on M25 in Hertfordshire
Police have confirmed some 20 arrests have been made
Last updated 2nd Nov 2021
Insulate Britain protestors have been back on the M25 in Hertfordshire this morning (2 November).
Police were called at 7.45am to reports of protestors near Junction 23 at Bignells Corner.
Officers have confirmed some 20 arrests have been made in connection to the protest activity.
Insulate Britain is calling on the Government to put in place policy and funding for a national home insulation programme.
It was reported that a group of officers lifted activists from the pavement beside the road and put them in the back of a van.
More than a dozen officers and seven police vehicles were on scene, with police confirming that most of the protestors were intercepted before they reached the carriageway.
Elsewhere, Hertfordshire Constabulary also received reports of protestors near the A1081 St Albans Road slip road who had glued themselves to the carriageway and the pavement.
Partial road closures had to be put in place to allow specially trained officers to de-bond them and make arrests.
Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed that all 20 people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.
Four people were also arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.
Chief Superintendent Nick Caveney said:
"Officers were at the scene within minutes, working quickly to make arrests and putting partial road closures in place in order to keep traffic flowing, meaning that disruption was kept to a minimum.
"Some 20 people were arrested in connection with the protest activity in Hertfordshire today, and will be taken to custody.
"Not only is purposely blocking a highway incredibly dangerous, it also affects countless members of the public who are inconvenienced as a result.
"We would like to thank motorists for their patience while officers dealt with the matter this morning.
"We understand how frustrating incidents of this nature are to the public, and want to reassure you that we have robust plans in place in order to minimise any disruption and to allow us to make arrests as quickly as we possibly can.
"We continue to work closely with our partners and other affected forces to ensure that any further activity is dealt with effectively and efficiently."