Met Police officer drags Just Stop Oil protester along road

A Met Police officer dragged a Just Stop Oil protester along a west London road during a demonstration.

At 08:00 BST some 66 Just Stop Oil supporters slow-marched in three groups on roads near West Kensington station as part of a sixth week of action.

An officer was then recorded dragging a supporter along the ground by his hi-vis vest on Talgarth Road, a busy route into the capital city.

Scotland Yard said the officer moved the man to "prevent them being harmed".

In a video posted on social media, the officer was seen pulling a protester across the road, before dropping him in front of a car and minibus in the carriageway.

As the officer walked away, other protesters helped the man stand up and reposition his banner.

• Just Stop Oil: What is it and what are its goals?

• Man pushes Just Stop Oil protester to the ground

Under the Public Order Act officers have powers to make activists move out of the road or face arrest.

A spokesperson for the force said: "A protester was in a lane of oncoming traffic. Officers on the ground have to make quick time assessments based on unfolding events.

"The police officer quickly moved the protester out of the way to prevent them being harmed as they posed a danger to themselves and other road users."

In a tweet, Just Stop Oil accused the police of having to "resort to dragging... supporters off [the] road".

A further 12 protesters were arrested on Wednesday afternoon for failing to move out of the road in Parliament Square as they staged a slow march.

The group included a wheelchair-dependent retired cook and members of Christian Climate Action.

Members of the environmental protest group have been holding daily slow march protests on roads since 24 April, causing frustration to drivers.

Just Stop Oil is calling for an end to all new oil, gas and coal projects in the UK and says its protests will continue indefinitely.

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