ESSEX Police has announced two more arrests of JustStopOil protesters who have been disrupting traffic and business life in West Thurrock by digging tunnels under roads near fuel storage sites.

A statement released today (Wednesday, 31 August) from the force says: "We made two further arrests yesterday as we continue our work to tackle and minimise disruption in Thurrock.

"A 58 year-old woman and a 23 year-old man were both arrested in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday 30 August) near to the site of one of the tunnels dug earlier this month.

"They have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

"The Crown Prosecution Service did not authorise charges, so the pair have been released on bail until 26 September."

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said: "We are continuing to work proactively to minimise disruption and tackle those intent on causing it.

"We are using all the powers available to us to resolve this situation as safely as possible for all involved.

"Our continued presence at the site and focus on disrupting the activities of those is, inevitably, having an impact on our ability to respond to and investigate other incidents. 

"More than 100 officers and staff have been involved in our response to this disruption and we've made around 60 arrests.

"This is a huge amount of time and resources.

"I've already reached out to this group this week and would again encourage those involved to re-evaluate the action they are taking, and consider the impact it is having on tax paying residents of Essex and victims of crime."

However, the plea appears to be failling on deaf ears.

JustStopOil released the following statement today: "Just Stop Oil will not be stopped, we will continue our campaign of peaceful civil resistance until the government agrees to end new oil and gas.

"JustStopOil refuses to roll over and accept our fate. There isn't anywhere else we would rather be right now than sitting on a motorway, blocking an oil depot or digging a tunnel because that is the right thing to do at this point in history.

The disruption caused by JustStopOil will end when the government upholds its primary responsibility and acts to end new oil and gas and in doing so defends democracy, freedom and the safety of its people and future generations."