Six people believed to be Just Stop Oil organisers have been arrested, the Metropolitan Police said amid warnings the eco-activist group is planning to disrupt thousands of holidaymakers by targeting Britain’s airports.
The six were arrested during an event at an east London community centre on Thursday night.
They were detained under the Public Order Act which makes it illegal to conspire to disrupt national infrastructure.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “We know Just Stop Oil plan to disrupt airports and thousands of holidaymakers this summer.
“Tonight, our officers made six arrests during an event at an east London community centre.
“We believe some of those in custody are key organisers for Just Stop Oil.
“We continue to work with airport operators and others to prevent significant disruption.
“Activists do not have the right to commit criminal acts that may also endanger themselves and others.
“Anyone who disrupts the safety and security of an airport can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”
Just Stop Oil’s X account shared a clip of people being arrested at what it claimed was a “soup night in London”.
It commented: “The police put repression on the menu at tonight’s soup night.
“Every time they raid us we lose phones and laptops.
“They must have a mountain by now.”
The operation comes after two activists sprayed private jets at Stansted Airport with orange paint last Thursday (June 20).
One insider told The Times: “This is just another way of us taking action in the theatres of life we exist in because we’re not politicians.
“Private jets are obviously mental for emissions and most people would agree they need to stop.
“It’s a wake-up call for government that we need big radical changes. If this incoming government doesn’t get us on war footing then we’re not going to have anywhere to fly to.”