Eco-mob blockade three M25 services at rush hour: 32 Just Stop Oil activists in sit-down protest

Eco-protesters have blocked service stations on the M25 this morning in a bid to force the government to act now on fossil fuels.

At least 32 activists from Just Stop Oil have blocked Clacket Lane, Cobham and Thurrock services, and also claim to have disrupted petrol and diesel supplies from local depots since yesterday.

The depots affected include Navigator, Grays and Kingsbury.

Police are at the scene and have arrested nine people on suspicion of criminal damage. In a statement, Surrey Police said activists have reportedly damaged fuel pumps and glued themselves to the forecourts. 

Police have been pictured at the scene attempting to move the protestors out of the road

Just Stop Oil activists blockade a filling station at Cobham services in Surrey

Protesters are staging a sit-in and are refusing to move as police arrive at the scene

The group has blocked the entrance to fuel stations at the service stations, starting from 5am this morning, spreading banners reading: Just Stop Oil. 

In a statement on the group’s website, Adam 53, from Gloucestershire explained why he had chosen to disrupt fuel supplies today.

He said: ‘In 20 years time, when my grandchildren point out that we knew about the destruction and suffering that the climate crisis would bring, I don’t want to have to tell them that I just sat at home and worried about it. I want to be able to tell them I did what I could.

Police have been pictured at the scene attempting to move the protestors out of the road from two of the sites in Surrey, Clacket Lane between junctions five and six, and Cobham between junctions nine and ten. 

A Just Stop Oil protester appears to vandalise a petrol pump at one of the M25 protest sites this morning

No update on the third site, which is in Essex, has yet been issued. 

In a statement on social media, the group said: ‘Governments around the world-including our own-are fully aware of the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels, yet are continuing to do so. 

‘We are left with no other option at this time but to actively stop them. We will not stand by & watch preventable destruction.’

Surrey Police, who are responding to the Clacket Lane and Cobham sites, said: ‘We are currently in attendance at Clacket Lane & Cobham services on the M25 following reports of protestors damaging fuel pumps & gluing themselves to the forecourts. 

‘Due to the damage, there is no petrol available at both stations, including both sides of Clacket Lane. 

‘We appreciate the disruption this is causing and we are working as quickly as we can to remove the protesters from the service stations. 

‘Three people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. We will continue to keep you updated via our channels.’