Police have taken pre-emptive action against environmental protesters who are planning to cause disruption in Westminster.
Dozens of officers from the Metropolitan police’s territorial support group raided a building in Kennington, south London, where Extinction Rebellion activists were storing equipment to use in a demonstration next week.
Protesters had said they planned to block 12 sites in Westminster from Monday morning until their political demands were met.
Earlier this week, police had promised to be more agile and assertive in dealing with the group after their demonstrations in April shut down parts of London for more than a week.
The Metropolitan police said 10 people – seven women and three men – had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.
Police used a battering ram to break into the building, the former Lambeth county court, after activists locked themselves inside.
Activists said they were concerned at the police decision to act pre-emptively against them. »
