Ten supporters of Just Stop Oil (JSO) suspected of planning to disrupt Heathrow Airport were arrested today, 24 July.
The Met Police acted to prevent widespread disruption, as JSO had planned to target Heathrow to interfere with national aviation. Similar actions by environmental activists have impacted several European airports.
In an intelligence-led operation, the Met arrested seven people at Heathrow and three at other locations for conspiracy to interfere with key national infrastructure. Items recovered included cutting gear and glue. JSO’s plan was to breach the secure perimeter fence, which could have led to the suspension of flight operations and significant international aviation impact.
Chief Superintendent Ian Howells, who led the operation, said: “These arrests are an excellent example of coordinated action by colleagues from across the Met to prevent the significant disruption intended by JSO.
“This planned action was extremely reckless and would have represented a real risk to the travelling public. Had it not been for these arrests, flights would have been suspended impacting thousands of passengers and businesses including hard working families going on their summer holidays. It could also have caused serious danger to passengers and aircraft with flights being diverted and cancelled.
“This type of action is completely unacceptable. The Met will continue to work with our national policing colleagues, airport operators and the wider aviation sector to prevent such criminal acts and to safeguard the travelling public. Anyone who compromises the safety and security of our airports will face the full force of the law.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
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