British police have taken swift action by arresting 27 members of the Just Stop Oil protest group who were allegedly planning to disrupt airports during the upcoming summer holidays. Police conducted raids across the country and detained suspects under a law that prohibits plotting to disrupt national infrastructure.
Chief Superintendent Ian Howells, who led the operation, emphasized the importance of maintaining the safety and security of airports in London. The arrests included several high-profile members of the organization, with four suspects taken into custody at Gatwick airport and six others at a community center in east London.
The Just Stop Oil group accused the police of acting unlawfully, stating that supporting their cause should not make individuals suspects. The group condemns the government’s promotion of fossil fuel extraction and burning, labeling them as dangerous radicals.
Recent actions by the organization include spray painting Stonehenge and targeting private jets at London’s Stansted airport. The government has urged the police to take a firmer stance against protesters to minimize disruption, resulting in the passing of laws granting officers more power in dealing with such incidents.
© Thomson Reuters 2024.