Kent Police Federation hit out at protestors who blocked M25 for endangering police and public safety

23 September 2021

Kent Police Federation has hit out at protesters who blocked the M25 for endangering public and police officers’ safety.

Campaign Group Insulate Britain shut down the motorway five times in a week after sitting down in the middle of the road.

Neil Mennie, Kent Police Federation Chair, told BBC Radio Kent on Wednesday: “There’s a very, very sound reason why pedestrians aren’t allowed on the motorway. It is an extremely dangerous and high-risk environment. The problem is that our officers are having to go on to these fast roads to try and deal with these matters.

“Protesters have the right to protest - we are not saying that they don’t - but when you partake in this kind of action, you’re not only putting my colleagues at risk, you’re putting yourselves at risk and indeed the public at risk. It is a very dangerous place to be.”

Kit Malthouse, Policing Minister, has since called for “robust action” from the police, and the Government has won an injunction meaning climate protesters could face prison sentences if they continue to block main roads.

He said: “The police should be fighting crime in our neighbourhoods. Not chasing activists across busy motorways.”

Neil added: “We have been very fortunate so far that no-one has been badly hurt. I very recently had to go out on the motorway to do some police work and people who regularly work on the motorways will know how dangerous it is.

“Our officers have a duty to try and protect the public as well. We want to be able to facilitate protest but the public at large also expect to be allowed freedom of movement. We need to be able to come to a compromise - I would suggest that sitting yourself in the middle of a fast-moving motorway is not the best way to go about making your point. It opens up all sorts of dangers and I just hope no-one ends up hurt or worse as a result of these types of protest.”

Neil also warned that the protesters' message could be lost in the public anger that erupts as a result of blocking roads.

He added: “It can get to the point where we are protecting the protesters from the public because of their frustration and anger. It can become very heated very quickly and it is a situation that we would much rather avoid.”