POLICE have now reported that the Essex section of the M25 is now running freely after specialist officers removed a man who had climbed on a gantry at Junction 30 in West Thurrock.

Members of the JustStopOil protest group mounted protests at a number of sites around the motorway this morning (Monday, 7 November) in their ongoing campaign to get the government to change its fossil fuels policy. The campaigners have pledged to carry on their protests despite a new injunction brought into place at the weekend which measn they will face increased penalties.

A statement from essex Police says: "Three people have been arrested after our officers responded quickly to two incidents on the M25 this morning. 

"Two people – a man and a woman – were arrested at junction 30 at 7.30am this morning as they attempted to climb a gantry. Neither were able to climb onto the structure and therefore disruption at the junction was kept to an absolute minimum. They are now in custody being questioned on suspicion of road traffic offences. 

"A third person had locked himself onto a gantry at junction 27. We responded quickly, however the complexities of the incident meant it took some time to resolve safely and responsibly. He has now been safely removed from the gantry and has been arrested. 

"At this stage, there are no longer any reported incidents on the Essex stretch of the M25.

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: "We quickly dealt with three incidents on the Essex stretch of the M25 this morning and swiftly arrested three people. They are now in custody being questioned on suspicion of road traffic offences.

"We have an appropriate 24-hour policing plan in place to deal with incidents such as this which means we can respond quickly to minimise and indeed stop any disruption to road users.

"Our priority, as it has always been, is to keep our county moving and we do that safely and responsibly.

"We are not anti-protest – this is rightly enshrined in law – but we will not tolerate dangerous acts which put lives at risk and we will always respond and take decisive action.

"I know those of you who have been affected this morning will be frustrated by the disruption and I want to thank you for your patience and understanding."