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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.
Police said the group accessed the building in central London by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station in the early hours.Police said the group accessed the building in central London by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station in the early hours.
Greenpeace said it was protesting against Shell's Arctic drilling, which the oil company said was "not new".Greenpeace said it was protesting against Shell's Arctic drilling, which the oil company said was "not new".
The viewing platform has been closed to visitors for the safety of the public and protesters.
The Shard skyscraper stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys.The Shard skyscraper stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys.
A Shard spokesman said the building's emergency response team had advised that "The View" - the platform on floors 68, 69 and 72 which gives a view of London from 800ft (244m) up - should be closed with immediate effect.
"We apologise to guests for the inconvenience caused and The View will be pleased to honour their tickets either later on today or on a different date," he said.
The spokesman added all three restaurants and offices in the building remained open.
BBC reporter Jonathan Savage, who was at the scene, said the women were climbing the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and were using ropes.BBC reporter Jonathan Savage, who was at the scene, said the women were climbing the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and were using ropes.
Police and ambulance teams at the scene. Greenpeace said the climbers had crossed the half-way mark. Police and ambulance teams remained at the scene. Greenpeace said the climbers had crossed the half-way mark.
It added 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. It added 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 it was difficult but not dangerous. If they manage to get to the top of the building, they plan on installing a piece of art.A spokesman said the climbers were all well trained and it was difficult but 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.The demonstrators are live-streaming the climb from helmet cameras, with birds-eye views of their ascent being broadcast.
'Nerve-shredding''Nerve-shredding'
Greenpeace wants the area around the North Pole to be made a global sanctuary, off limits to industrialisation.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, 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.One climber, Victoria Henry, 32, a Canadian living in Hackney, 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."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."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.""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 tweet, she said: "Update. Still safe, still hanging on. Not gonna lie, it's exhausting."In a tweet, she said: "Update. Still safe, still hanging on. Not gonna lie, it's exhausting."
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.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.""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."
High-wire teamHigh-wire team
On the Arctic, it said oil and gas production from the Arctic "was not new".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."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."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.""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."
The BBC reporter at the scene said the Shard had members of its high-wire team giving the women a health and safety briefing as they climbed the building.The BBC reporter at the scene 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.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 viewing platform has been closed to visitors for the safety of the public and protesters.
The Qatari-owned building, which was opened in February, contains offices, restaurants, a hotel and residential apartments.The Qatari-owned building, which was opened in February, contains offices, restaurants, a hotel and residential apartments.