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Greenpeace protesters climbing up The Shard in London Greenpeace protesters climbing up The Shard in London
(about 1 hour later)
Six protesters are attempting to scale the tallest building in western Europe, The Shard.Six protesters are attempting to scale the tallest building in western Europe, The Shard.
The Met Police said the group accessed the building in central London by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station. Officers were called to the scene at 04:25 BST.The Met Police said the group accessed the building in central London by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station. Officers were called to the scene at 04:25 BST.
Greenpeace has confirmed the protesters are from the charity. Greenpeace said it was protesting against Shell's Arctic drilling, which the oil company said was "not new".
The Shard skyscraper stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys. It was officially opened in February. The Shard skyscraper stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys.
BBC London 94.9 reporter Jonathan Savage, who is at the scene, said the women were climbing the edge of the building as that has a ladder-like structure. BBC London 94.9 reporter Jonathan Savage, who is at the scene, said the women were free-climbing - scaling the building without assistance - the edge of the building as that has a ladder-like structure.
He said they were about a quarter of the way up and that there are police and ambulance teams at the scene looking up at the climbers.He said they were about a quarter of the way up and that there are police and ambulance teams at the scene looking up at the climbers.
Greenpeace said it decided to scale the building to protest against Shell's plans to drill in the Arctic. Greenpeace said the location was chosen because it sits in the middle of the oil company's three headquarters and because the building was modelled on a shard of ice.
A spokesperson from the charity said the location was chosen because it sits in the middle of the oil company's three headquarters and because the building was modelled on a shard of ice. A spokesman said the climbers were all well trained and that it was not dangerous. If they manage to get to the top of the building, they plan on installing a piece of art.
He said the women climbers were all well trained and that it was not dangerous. If they manage to get to the top of the building, they plan on installing a piece of art. The demonstrators are live-streaming the climb from helmet cameras, with birds-eye views of their ascent being broadcast.
A Shard spokesman said: "The Shard is being used by protestors as part of a campaign. 'Nerve-shredding'
"Our primary focus is on the safety of the protestors and the workers and visitors to the building. Greenpeace wants the area around the North Pole to be made a global sanctuary, off limits to industrialisation.
One climber, Victoria Henry, 32, a Canadian living in Hackney, London, said: "We'll try to hang a huge art installation 310m up that will make Shell think twice before sending their rigs into the Arctic.
"It's going to be really hard work, it's going to be nerve-shredding for all of us and we may not succeed, but we're going to do everything we can to pull it off.
"Millions of people have called on Shell to get out of the Arctic but they're still trying to drill there anyway.
"If we reach the top we'll be able to see all three of Shell's London offices below us, meaning they'll be able to see us. Maybe then they'll stop ignoring the movement ranged against them."
In a statement, Shell said: "We respect the right of individuals and organisations to engage in a free and frank exchange of views about our operations.
"Recognising the right of individuals to express their point of view, we only ask that they do so with their safety and the safety of others, including Shell personnel and customers in mind."
On the Arctic, it said oil and gas production from the Arctic "was not new".
"The Arctic region currently produces about 10% of the world's oil and 25% of its gas.
"If responsibly developed, Arctic energy resources can help offset supply constraints and maintain energy security for consumers throughout the world.
"Shell has been operating in the Arctic and sub-Arctic since the early 20th Century, giving us the technical experience and know-how to explore for and produce oil and gas responsibly."
Our correspondent said the Shard had members of its high wire team giving the women a health and safety briefing as they climbed the building.
A Shard spokesman said: "Our primary focus is on the safety of the protestors and the workers and visitors to the building.
"We are working with the relevant authorities to try to ensure the safety of those concerned.""We are working with the relevant authorities to try to ensure the safety of those concerned."
The building, which was opened in February, contains offices, restaurants, a hotel and residential apartments.