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Greenpeace protesters reach summit of The Shard in London Greenpeace protesters reach summit of The Shard in London
(34 minutes later)
Protesters attempting to scale the tallest building in western Europe, The Shard, have reached its summit. Greenpeace protesters have climbed to the summit of London's Shard - the tallest building in western Europe.
Once at the top, two of the campaigners unfurled a giant blue flag with "Save the Arctic" written in white across it. Two of them then unfurled a blue flag with "Save the Arctic" written on it.
Greenpeace said it was protesting against plans to drill in the Arctic by the oil company Shell, although the firm said drilling there was "not new". The charity said it was protesting against plans to drill in the Arctic by the oil company Shell, although the firm said drilling there was "not new".
Six climbers accessed the central London building by climbing on to the roof of nearby London Bridge Station. Six climbers accessed the Shard by climbing on to the roof of London Bridge Station. They were later arrested, the Met Police said.
It took the women 16 hours to reach the top of the building after they started their ascent in the early hours of the morning. They are being held on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The viewing platform in the skyscraper has been closed to visitors for the safety of the public and protesters. It took the women 16 hours to reach the top of the building after they started their ascent in the early hours.
The Shard stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys.The Shard stands at 310m (1,016ft) and has 87 storeys.
'Remarkable achievement'
As the protesters reached the summit, Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said: "It is an honour to stand here at the foot of Europe's highest building and witness this remarkable achievement by these women.
"Watching them fly the flag to protect the Arctic from the top of the Shard is a remarkable sight.
"And I'm not the only one watching this today - the executives of Shell, whose offices are all around this building, simply won't be able to ignore what we have done.
"As a result of our action, 50,000 extra people have joined up to the campaign.
"If Shell continues to ignore the huge groundswell of support for protecting the Arctic then they will do irreversible damage to their reputation."
In a statement Shell said oil and gas production from the Arctic "was not new".
It said: "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."
Ladder-like structureLadder-like structure
The viewing platform in the skyscraper was closed to visitors for the safety of the public and the protest group.
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.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."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. The spokesman added that offices and restaurants in the complex remained open.
BBC reporter Jonathan Savage, who was at the scene, said the group climbed the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and used ropes. BBC reporter Jonathan Savage, who was at the scene, said the group climbed the edge of the building as it has a ladder-like structure, and also used ropes.
Police and ambulance teams remained at the scene.Police and ambulance teams remained at the scene.
Greenpeace said the location was chosen because it sits in the middle of Shell's three headquarters and because the building was "modelled on a shard of ice".Greenpeace said the location was chosen because it sits in the middle of Shell'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. The climbers were live-streaming the ascent using helmet cameras.
The demonstrators are live-streaming the climb from helmet cameras, with birds-eye views of their ascent being broadcast. In its statement, Shell said: "We respect the right of individuals and organisations to engage in a free and frank exchange of views about our operations.
Greenpeace wants the area around the North Pole to be made a global sanctuary, off limits to industrialisation.
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."
On the Arctic, it said oil and gas production from the Arctic "was not new".
Safety briefing
"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."
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 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.