Just Stop Oil mastermind Roger Hallam is arrested by cops ‘ahead of planned M25 demo’

The leader of Just Stop Oil was arrested for reportedly planning large-scale blockades to bring traffic to a stand-still on the M25 today.

Roger Hallam, 56, and two other eco-activists were taken in for questioning by Met police last night, The Sun reported.

Mr Hallam was not at home when the police raided his property to arrest him, but they later said he had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance.

The eco-group carried out an entire month of action over October and were planning daily action until Christmas.

Mr Hallam, who also co-founded Extinction Rebellion said: ‘It’s potentially the most significant act of civil disobedience in decades.’

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said three people were arrested on Sunday evening who were suspected of planning public disruption. Police were expecting to make more arrests overnight. 

 The leader of Just Stop Oil, Roger Hallam, was arrested last night for reportedly planning large-scale blockades to bring traffic to a stand-still on the M25 (pictured: Hallam being arrested in 2019)

Hallam,56, and two other eco-activists were taken in for questioning by Met police last night, The Sun reported

Metropolitan Police confirmed they have launched a ‘significant’ operation to identify and arrest climate change protesters suspected of planning ‘reckless and serious’ motorway disruption as Cop27 gets underway.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said three people were arrested on Sunday evening who were suspected of planning public disruption. Police were expecting to make more arrests overnight.

Mr Twist said: ‘Our investigation has strong reason to suspect the Just Stop Oil group intend to disrupt major motorway road networks which would risk serious harm to the public, with reckless action to obstruct the public on a large scale.

‘All those arrested are suspected of engaging in conspiracy to cause public nuisance contrary to Section 78 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

‘There remains a possibility outstanding suspects are still intent on causing unlawful disruption to the public. The Met has mobilised specialist teams and drawn police officers from across the capital to respond.’

According to the Met, which is conducting the operation in conjunction with the National Police Coordination Centre (NPoCC), more than 10,000 officer shifts have been dedicated to policing Just Stop Oil protests since the start of October. 

It comes as National Highways secured a High Court injunction to prevent Just Stop Oil protesters disrupting England’s busiest motorway.

The court has granted a further injunction which aims to stop unlawful demonstrations on the M25, which encircles Greater London, in an attempt to end disruption to the busy road by the environmental group.

It means that anyone entering the motorway and fixing themselves to any object or structure on it, and anyone assisting in such an act, can be held in contempt of court.

They could face imprisonment, an unlimited fine, and the seizure of assets.

The injunction was secured in addition to an court order obtained by National Highways earlier this year that targeted protesters including those from Insulate Britain.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said he instructed National Highways to apply for the latest injunction to tackle a ‘reckless minority of protesters’.

He said: ‘Protesting by blocking busy motorways or climbing overhead structures is extremely dangerous and disruptive, which is why I instructed National Highways to apply for this further injunction, which the courts have granted.

‘This will make it easier to take action against this reckless minority of protesters.

‘They could face imprisonment or an unlimited fine if they breach the injunction.’

National Highways secured a High Court injunction to prevent Just Stop Oil protesters disrupting England’s busiest motorway

Mr Hallam, who also co-founded Extinction Rebellion said their action up until Christmas would potentially be ‘the most significant act of civil disobedience in decades’

Duncan Smith, executive director for operations at National Highways, added: ‘Millions of people rely on the strategic road network every day and they have a right to expect it to operate as it should.

‘We already have an injunction covering hundreds of miles of our network. This further court order will make it easier to take action against those reckless individuals who choose to unlawfully protest on the M25.

‘Protesting on these busy roads is extremely dangerous for the protestors themselves and all road users.

‘National Highways remains committed to do whatever it can to seek to deter unlawful protest activity and punish all of those who breach the injunction orders in the eyes of the law.’

National Highways’ existing injunction covers the M25, the M25 feeder roads and major roads in Kent and around the Port of Dover until May 2023.