Their arrival was a sign of defiance just hours after six police stopped arresting activists in front of cheering eco-warriors. The officers then appeared to be arresting the demonstrators sat on the ground, before walking away.
Earlier, police were slammed by their own commander after being filmed raving and skateboarding with the protesters, and one at Waterloo Bridge told bystanders he believed the chaos could last until next Friday.
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, who has not yet made a public statement on the protests, said more than 1,000 officers were on patrol daily this week. But a group of them were seen dancing with demonstrators at Oxford Circus who chanted 'we love you'.
As anger grows amid threats that the disruption could affect the Easter getaway at Heathrow Airport, Home Secretary Sajid Javid said he wanted police to use the 'full force of the law' against protesters who act illegally.
But Mayor Sadiq Khan suggested police funding cuts were restricting the Met's abilities, while ex-commissioner Lord Stevens said: 'You have to clear the streets... you have to bring in police resources. Enough is enough.'
The video of the abandoned arrest at Oxford Circus today emerged amid claims police did not have enough resources to remove the demonstrators, although Scotland Yard declined to comment on these allegations.
Today, the protesters turned their attention to Vauxhall Bridge as they brought traffic to a standstill with a human barrier - having already taken over Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus, Parliament Square and Marble Arch.
Metropolitan Police Commander Jane Connors said today: 'I'm disappointed by the video and the unacceptable behaviour of the officers in it. We expect our officers to engage with protestors but clearly their actions fall short of the tone of the policing operation at a time when people are frustrated at the actions of the protestors.
'We will be reminding officers of their responsibilities and expectations in policing this operation - however the majority of officers have been working long hours and I am grateful to them for their continued commitment.'
Twitter users were also angered by the clip, with one saying: 'As long as the police are enjoying themselves, that's great. It's not like there's a knife crime problem or any worries about terrorism. Good to see them having fun.'
Others suggeted the three infamous water cannon bought by Boris Johnson from the German police when he was mayor which were later sold for scrap at a net loss would have been useful in dispersing the protesters.
Meanwhile London Heathrow Airport said it was 'working with the authorities' to address any threat of protests from climate change activists which could disrupt the airport on Good Friday as the Easter getaway begins.
Scotland Yard confirmed today that 428 people have been arrested in 72 hours over the demonstrations for public order and other offences - but organisers warned that they expected 'thousands more rebels' to join their protest.
Police custody cells were full to bursting, with some activists released hours later and returning to the protests. Only three have been charged so far, after glueing themselves to a Docklands Light Railway service yesterday.
Cathy Eastburn, 51, Mark Ovland, 35, and Luke Watson, 29, were remanded into custody for a month after pleading not guilty to obstructing trains or carriages on the railway at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in North London.
MailOnline
No comments:
Post a Comment