Outrage as police arrest reporters and photographers reporting on M25 chaos

A police force which has arrested at least three journalists for simply doing their job covering the Just Stop Oil protests mounted a ludicrous defence this afternoon, claiming they were ‘keeping officers and protesters safe’.

Hertfordshire Constabulary refused to apologise to LBC reporter Charlotte Lynch, Documentary maker Rich Felgate or photographer Tom Bowles.

Instead the force doubled down, insisting motorways were ‘very dangerous places’ and officers had to act quickly to try and get them open again.

A statement insisted: ‘The M25 protesters are causing significant disruption and potential harm to hundreds of thousands of people and taking police resources away from keeping the people of Hertfordshire safe.

‘Motorways are very dangerous places and our priority is to ensure public safety as well as the safety of officers and protestors.

‘The awful incident in Essex today where an officer has been injured underlines this.

‘Our officers are facing very challenging circumstances and have been instructed to act as quickly as they can, using their professional judgement, to clear any possible protestors in order to get roads up and running and to prevent anyone from coming to harm.

‘However, Chief Constable Charlie Hall recognises the concerns over the recent arrests of journalists who arrived at these locations and have been present with the protestors at the scenes. Additional measures are now in place to ensure that legitimate media are able to do their job.

‘In addition, Mr Hall is today requesting an independent force to examine our approach to these arrests and to identify any learning we should take in managing these challenging situations.’

Respected LBC correspondent Charlotte Lynch had been reporting on the chaos caused by the activists at the M25’s junction 21 when officers approached.

Ms Lynch showed her press pass and they asked how she knew the protests were taking place there.

Photographer Tom Bowles (pictured) told the officer that he was a member of the press and tried to show his press ID as he was being handcuffed

Yesterday Just Stop Oil said ‘approximately 15’ of its supporters climbed onto overhead gantries in ‘multiple locations’ on the UK’s busiest motorway from 7am, causing police to halt traffic.

The question was particularly bizarre, given Just Stop Oil had already done a demonstration at the same junction a day earlier.

When she explained the protest group had put on social media they would be targeting the M25 again she was handcuffed, searched and put into a custody van.

She was told she was being arrested on conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

Her ordeal continued at Stevenage Police Station where she had DNA swabs taken from her mouth, fingerprinted and even a mugshot photographed.

She was then held in a custody cell for five hours before being told she faced no further action and released. Hertfordshire Police refused to comment to MailOnline why Ms Lynch was arrested.

The reporter told LBC: ‘I had been there for around 45 minutes before two male officers approached me and questioned what I was doing as I was taking pictures and videos of the protester.

‘I was on a road bridge over the motorway. Public area. Well clear of the demonstration, I was not down on the motorway, I wasn’t with the protester.

‘I immediately showed these officers my press card and explained that I worked with LBC, which is owned by Global, the Global logo is on my press card and I explained that I was there reporting on the protests.

‘They questioned how I got there, I said in a car, they asked how I knew how to be there, I said Just Stop Oil had put on their social media the evening prior a warning to drivers they’d be blocking the M25 again.

‘Now no sooner than I said that – they mustn’t have even spoken to me for two minutes – handcuffs were banged onto my hands. First my left hand and I went to grab my phone with my right hand which was immediately snatched away and I was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

‘Of course my rights were read to me so of course I kept my mouth shut because I knew that what I said could be used against me.

Mr Bowles’ arrest was captured by documentary maker Rich Felgate who was also handcuffed on the bridge 

A Just Stop Oil protester being detained after they climbed a gantry on the M25, leading to the closure of the motorway on Monday 

A person stands on a gantry above the M25 during the Just Stop Oil protest on Monday 

‘I was searched on the side of a road, a female officer then came, searched me on the side of the road, all of my devices were taken away and I was put into a custody van and taken to Stevenage.

‘We do have a free and fair press in this country and it’s not the job of journalists to do the police’s job for them. It is our job to hold authorities to account on behalf of your listeners on behalf of the public.

‘There are occasions when it is absolutely necessary to inform the police but those lines becoming blurred is a tricky thing.’

Ms Lynch was take to Stevenage Police Station by the van and was handcuffed on her own in the back for the hour-long journey.

She added: ‘That is when it dawned on me “Gosh I could be charged here”.

‘And everything runs through my mind, have I actually committed this offence, even though I knew I hadn’t, we got to the police station and I thought phew I’ll answer their questions and I’ll be on my way.

‘I was searched again, all my DNA was taken, swabs in my mouth, fingerprints, my entire hands I had a mugshot was taken.

Incredibly the protesters returned to some of the same locations as yesterday but police were still unprepared to stop them

Officers from Kent, Essex, and the Met have be called into action for a second day to remove protesters from motorways

Proud of themselves: Just Stop Oil proudly posted their latest stunt in an embarrassment for police who failed again to stop it

‘Then I was taken down to a cell and that’s really when it hits.

‘Imagine a prison cell with a bed in one corner and a metal toilet in the other. In the cell for five hours, the whole thing lasted about seven hours. Then at 3pm I was released with no further actions being told they had made their enquries and they were happy I wasn’t part of the protest. I wasn’t questioned.’  

It came after a photographer and filmmaker were held for 13 hours after being arrested for reporting on the protest by the same police force a day previous.

Documentary maker Rich Felgate and photographer Tom Bowles had been capturing the activists on a footbridge over the M25 near Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, at close to 11am on Monday when they were handcuffed.

The pair, both of whom say have no affiliation with the group, had their equipment seized and were taken to a police station, despite efforts to show their press cards.

The arrests have been condemned by the British Press Photographers’ Association.

Mr Bowles, 47, from Hackney, east London, said that he was held until 1.30am, hours after his wife and 14-year-old daughter were woken up as three officers searched their home.

He went on: ‘As a photographer I’ve covered hundreds of protests and I’ve never been along as a protester, it’s not my cup of tea, I photograph them and that’s it.

‘I feel pretty cross, I’m aware of the police and how they interact with people and they generally do a pretty good job, but yesterday was absolutely shocking.

‘I’ve not photographed an arrest that’s as bad as the ones that me and Rich went through.

‘I said “good morning officer” as he walked to me and he grabbed my arm, pulled me away, told me to secure my camera and told me he was arresting me and put handcuffs on me straight away.

‘I’m not a big bloke, I’m not a fighter, but he held me and put the handcuffs on while I was still holding my camera, so it was all very quick and very unnecessary.’

Just Stop Oil protesters shut down the M25 again today causing more pain for the 100,000-plus people on the road each day.

It was the second day of protests on the motorway, with Just Stop Oil members blaming ‘rich men’s profit’ for climate change. 

The two men tried to explain to officers that they were members of the press and were documenting the Just Stop Oil protest

The British Press Photographers’ Association (BPPA) said it ‘strongly condemns’ the arrests of the two men 

During the video captured by Mr Felgate, Mr Bowles could be seen being handcuffed by an officer

Junction 30 close to Lakeside in Essex remains closed this afternoon because of the protests, with drivers facing diversions and five miles of queues. 

The continued protests are deeply embarrassing for police, who were dodged again by men and women able to climb motorway gantries to shut the road — despite choosing the same time, locations and the exact same method as yesterday — with growing fears that drivers might take matters into their own hands.

The Met arrested eight alleged ringleaders on Sunday night who were due in court today — but dozens of their supporters headed to the M25 undeterred for the second day straight.

Fed-up drivers ignored smart motorway markings to go into closed lanes in a desperate attempt to get to work as protesters claimed they had ‘to take action to survive’. 

They targeted the M25 gantries at junctions 1b, 8/9, 12/13, 7/8, 11, 14/15, 20, 21a, 22, 27 and 31. Many of them were the same locations hit yesterday, sparking disbelief police were today not better prepared.

Police said five people were arrested after protesters yesterday attempted to climb overhead gantries at various junctions.

Mr Felgate, 30, who is making a documentary on Just Stop Oil, claimed officers had suggested the pair were involved in planning the protest.

He went on: ‘For them to make that jump is just astounding, it felt very concerning that it didn’t matter about press IDs.

‘This isn’t the first time they’ve arrested members of the press at Just Stop Oil protests, they know full well they’re arresting members of the press.

‘It feels like a trend rather than a mistake.’

The British Press Photographers’ Association (BPPA) said it ‘strongly condemns’ the arrests.

It added: ‘News gatherers should be able to operate freely without fear of arrest.’

Hertfordshire Police said: ‘In line with standard policing practice, we would not name or confirm the identity of anyone who has been arrested or anyone suspected of a crime other than in exceptional circumstances.

‘We can confirm that three people who were arrested in connection with the protest activity yesterday have been released with no further action.’