XR take over central London bridges bringing capital to standstill

Activists marched on Westminster Bridge, Lambeth Bridge and London Bridge on Friday to protest the Government’s response to climate change.

Protesters also disrupted traffic on Waterloo Bridge on Friday afternoon.

The group said: “We will Rebel For Life till the Government act like its a Climate Emergency and end all new oil & gas.”

Activists could be seen playing bongos and waving banners reading “end fossil fuels now” and “love in action” while long facing queues of traffic.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “ We are aware of a number of demonstrations happening today. We are seeing pockets of protest which are causing delays and disruption across central London.

“A policing operation is in place and officers are on scene and working to manage the impact.”

It comes after activists from Just Stop Oil were rrested after launching a wave of protests targeting three oil terminals in dawn raids.

The protesters said they arrived in the early hours of Friday at the Kingsbury terminal near Tamworth, Staffordshire, as well as the Navigator Oil terminal in Thurrock and Grays oil terminal, both in Essex.

Earlier, Extinction Rebellion marched on Charing Cross police station to demand the release of one of their scientist members who was arrested outside the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Emma Smart, a marine biologist, is reportedly on hunger strike and refusing water after being refused bail ahead of a hearing on Saturday.

Smart, along with eight other scientists, was charged with criminal damage after allegedly pasting scientific papers to the Government building and glueing themselves to the glass frontage.

Elsewhere, activists marched into the roads at Marble Arch carrying a banner reading ‘Love in Action’.

In Essex Just Stop Oil activists, in orange hi-vis jackets, sat on top of oil tankers and blockaded roads while holding signs.

Warwickshire Police said 12 arrests had been made on Friday morning, while officers were also at the scene in Essex.

Warwickshire Police said: “Officers remain at Kingsbury Oil Terminal today and are currently dealing with protest activity after a number of protesters arrived overnight.

“There is minimal impact to the wider community at this time.”

Activists from Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion have been blocking access to oil terminals, demanding that the Government stops new oil and gas projects.