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Extinction Rebellion: Met want 1,130 climate protesters charged | Extinction Rebellion: Met want 1,130 climate protesters charged |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Met will push for the prosecution of more than 1,100 people arrested over last month's Extinction Rebellion protests, a senior officer has said. | |
So far more than 70 activists have been charged in connection with the demonstrations that brought parts of central London to a standstill. | So far more than 70 activists have been charged in connection with the demonstrations that brought parts of central London to a standstill. |
Ten days of protests in April saw 1,130 people arrested for various offences. | Ten days of protests in April saw 1,130 people arrested for various offences. |
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the Met wanted to deter other groups employing similar tactics. | Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the Met wanted to deter other groups employing similar tactics. |
The group's tactics included asking volunteers to deliberately get arrested to cause maximum disruption at roadblocks on Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. | The group's tactics included asking volunteers to deliberately get arrested to cause maximum disruption at roadblocks on Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. |
Other protesters glued themselves to trains and buildings. | Other protesters glued themselves to trains and buildings. |
Mr Taylor said 70 people had so far been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). | Mr Taylor said 70 people had so far been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). |
"It is our anticipation that we are putting all of those to the CPS for decisions," he said. | "It is our anticipation that we are putting all of those to the CPS for decisions," he said. |
Mr Taylor insisted the Met was equipped to deal with any upcoming actions and said officers from other forces would be called into action if needed. | Mr Taylor insisted the Met was equipped to deal with any upcoming actions and said officers from other forces would be called into action if needed. |
He said the force was in discussions with the Home Office to review the current Public Order legislation with fears Extinction Rebellion's tactics could be adopted by other groups. | He said the force was in discussions with the Home Office to review the current Public Order legislation with fears Extinction Rebellion's tactics could be adopted by other groups. |
Mr Taylor added: "I'm not saying going to jail, but we would like to see consequences for any activity at these events that is unlawful. | Mr Taylor added: "I'm not saying going to jail, but we would like to see consequences for any activity at these events that is unlawful. |
"Protest is not illegal. There is nothing unlawful about protest." | "Protest is not illegal. There is nothing unlawful about protest." |
In 2011, courts in London and Manchester had to open over the weekend to deal with more than 1,000 people charged with riot-related offences. | In 2011, courts in London and Manchester had to open over the weekend to deal with more than 1,000 people charged with riot-related offences. |