Police ready for Just Stop Oil London Marathon protests

The Metropolitan Police is putting in place a plan to prevent Just Stop Oil disrupting the London Marathon, in what would be the group’s highest-profile protest to date.

Protesters plan to kick off a six-week campaign to “occupy Westminster” on the day before the race.

Thousands of volunteers are being mobilised to block key roads and bridges from Oct 1 in a bid to overwhelm police and clog up the justice system.

“A robust policing plan will be in place to tackle any criminal behaviour,” said a Met Police spokesman.

“Officers will be working with partners to ensure that London Marathon events take place without being disrupted.”

The Met added that it was “always willing to work with organisers of protests to avoid serious disruption”, but said attempts to contact organisers had been unsuccessful so far.

“They have not as yet engaged with us.”

The London Marathon is a major logistical operation for the Met, with around 50,000 runners expected to take part and thousands of spectators lining the 26.2-mile course.

Between 500 and 1,000 Met Police officers have been deployed at the race in previous years.

Over the course of its campaign this autumn, Just Stop Oil is aiming for 1,500 of its volunteers to be arrested twice to clog up the court system, according to the Mail on Sunday, with regular road blockages expected in the area near Parliament Square.

Ready to go to prison

The group is reported to have spent months recruiting people who will be prepared to go to prison for its cause.

Just Stop Oil wants an immediate end to licensing for the exploration, development and production of oil and gas in the UK.

Last month, activists vowed to keep blocking roads after being repeatedly arrested and bailed by police.

They disrupted petrol stations by blocking entrances, breaking glass and gluing themselves to forecourts, following similar protests at oil terminals.

In one day, 43 people were arrested, but the group said it was not deterred by the prospect of police action.

A spokeswoman said: "Until we get a meaningful statement from government to end new fossil fuel licences and consents, supporters of Just Stop Oil will continue."

Activists follow a "higher law" and feel it is their moral duty to cause disruption in the name of their cause, members have said.

The group was recently forced to apologise after members left plastic rubbish near a protest site on a farm, prompting accusations of hypocrisy.

Charles Goadby, a farmer, said he had found a pile of plastic bottles, chairs and other rubbish near a tunnel dug by a group of protesters in an effort to block the Kingsbury Oil Terminal in Warwickshire.

Like Insulate Britain, Just Stop Oil is a spin-off from international environmental protest group Extinction Rebellion, which became well-known for its tactic of blocking roads with mass demonstrations.