Just Stop Oil face 900 police patrolling London for this weekend’s protests

Environmental activists Just Stop Oil will be met by nearly 1,000 extra police on the streets of London for this weekend’s direct action.

Just Stop Oil suspended their activities this week, stating that they were giving time to the government to stop investing in oil and gas. “If, as we sadly expect, we receive no response from ministers to our demand, we will escalate our legal disruption against this treasonous Government.”

For this weekend, the protestors are expected to continue with their direct action which includes road-blocking on Saturday.

Met commander Jon Savell said: “We will have hundreds of extra officers on duty this weekend in and around the areas where we believe that they will be, and we will be responding to them as and when they appear,” he told the PA news agency.

“We will help facilitate them protesting lawfully, but where they cross the boundaries we will act quickly.”

He added: “It is unfortunate that it coincides with the train strikes and there will inevitably be protests in the roads and some of the more iconic places.

“We will work quickly to try and minimise that disruption, and we would just ask the public to bear with us.

“But if there are issues, be reassured that we have hundreds of extra officers on duty, we will be there, and we will take action where it’s needed.”

In the 32 days of protests, Just Stop Oil activists have tried to scale the gates of Downing Street. Activists were dragged by officers towards police vans, filmed by members of the public.

The Metropolitan Police said: “Two Just Stop Oil protesters who crossed over the outer vehicle gates on the Whitehall side of the main gates of Downing Street … were swiftly prevented from climbing the main gates by police officers present.”

Other activities include spraying orange paint on luxury car showrooms in Mayfair. On October 24, two protestors were filmed hitting Charles III’s waxwork at Madame Tussauds with chocolate cake. They were charged with causing criminal damage, estimated at around £170,000.