Oil protesters block Knightsbridge roads and spray paint Harrods

Just Stop Oil protest at Harrods on Thursday morning

Eco activists have blocked traffic in Knightsbridge and spray-painted the exterior of Harrods department store in the latest round of Just Stop Oil protests.

Around 20 protesters gathered in Brompton Road at 9am on Thursday, with many gluing themselves to the road in the organisation’s latest demonstration calling for an end to new oil and gas.

A video shared on their Twitter page shows protesters spraying their distinctive orange paint on the windows of the luxury shop, as members of the public can be heard asking “what are you doing?”

A second video shared online appears to show Harrods security staff taking those spraying paint inside the store.

The Metropolitan Police said specialist officers are in the process of removing protesters from the road, adding two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

It is the 20th day of central London protests in by the group.

A Just Stop Oil spokesman said: "Our government is criminally incompetent and morally bankrupt. They are actively seeking to accelerate fossil fuel production, which will kill millions of people, while failing to address the worst cost-of-living crisis this country has ever seen.

"Vulnerable people will be freezing to death in their homes this winter while the government refuses to tax the rich and the big energy companies that are profiting from our misery.

"We owe it to our young people to stop fossil fuels. We owe it to our workers to create a just transition to a zero carbon economy. We owe it to our old people to enable them to live with dignity." 

Last week their supporters poured tomato soup over a Van Gogh masterpiece in the National Gallery and spray painted the New Scotland Yard sign outside Metropolitan Police headquarters.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...