80 arrests in Essex as climate protesters tunnel underground to block oil terminals

Handout photo dated 01/04/22 issued by Just Stop Oil of protesters in a tunnel in Grays, Essex, where they claim to have constructed a secret underground network of tunnels at the Navigator and Grays oil terminals. The protesters are demanding that the UK Government stops new oil and gas projects. Issue date: Friday April 1, 2022.
Just Stop Oil activists tunnel beneath the ground at Tritan Truck Park in Grays, Essex on Saturday. Credit: Just Stop Oil

More than 80 people have been arrested in Essex as climate change protesters continued to block oil terminals.

Activists from Just Stop Oil said on Saturday they had blocked access to the Titan Truck Park.

They also claim to have created a secret underground network of tunnels at the Navigator and Grays oil terminals.

The protesters are demanding that the UK Government stops new oil and gas projects.

It comes after activists from Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion obstructed 10 fuel sites in the Midlands and southern England in the early hours of Friday, to stand against “expanding UK oil and gas production”.

Protesters were glued on to roads, suspended on bamboo tripods, and locked on to oil drums and each other from around 4am.

Police try to remove Just Stop Oil activists from beneath the ground in Grays on Saturday. Credit: PA

Essex Police said officers arrested a total of 83 people after protests in the Thurrock district.

The force said 63 were arrested on Friday following protests in Oliver Road, Grays, London Road, Purfleet, and Askew Farm Lane, Grays.

Another 20 people were arrested on Saturday in Oliver Road and Stoneness Road, Grays.

Police said they were arrested on suspicion of a variety of offences.

Officers were continuing to engage with protesters in Oliver Road, Stoneness Road and London Road on Saturday afternoon, they said.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan said: “Our officers are continuing to work in exceptionally challenging circumstances with a view to bringing these protests to a safe and swift conclusion.

“I would like to thank businesses, local drivers and workers for their continued patience whilst we carry out our work.”

Police work to free a Just Stop Oil activist at a blockade in Grays, Essex, in early April. Credit: PA

The Just Stop Oil activists said Saturday morning’s tunnel activity at Grays and Navigator meant the main and emergency access roads to the oil terminals were closed.

The activists said Titan Truck Park contains more than 100 oil tankers which service the three major oil terminals in the area.

ExxonMobil UK, one of the country’s largest privately owned underground oil pipeline distribution networks, said it shut down three of its terminals as a result, and police from at least five forces were deployed to tackle the demonstrations.

Just Stop Oil protesters continued their blockade in Grays on Saturday. Credit: Just Stop Oil protesters in Grays, Essex

The Met arrested 14 activists after a facility in Bedfont Road in Staines, Surrey, was allegedly broken into.

West Midlands Police arrested six people at a terminal in Tyburn, Birmingham.

Police said arrests were made on suspicion of offences including aggravated trespass, criminal damage and obstructing the highway.