Extinction Rebellion protests: Hundreds of eco-activists clear roadblock to allow ambulance through central London

Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion activists gathered in the City of London were forced to clear a road block to allow an ambulance to pass through the crowds.

Video of the moment shows the protesters surrounding the ambulance, with lights flashing, before moving aside to allow it to speed off past the Bank of England.

It was halted for around 20 seconds before they parted to let it pass through and cheered as it left.

Guardian reporter Damien Gayle, who tweeted the video, said: “#ExtinctionRebellion crowd parts like the Red Sea to allow an ambulance through at Bank.”

Hundreds of protesters demonstrated around bank and outside the Bank of England, bringing rush hour traffic to a standstill.

Twenty double-decker buses queueing down Lombard Street and King William Street were rendered stationary for at least two hours.

Police were warning protesters individually they would be arrested under Section 40 order for obstructing traffic if they did not leave the area.

More than 50 officers were called on to help clear the protesters and several from the XR group were arrested just before 10am.

A total of 1,336 people have been arrested since last Monday in connection with Extinction Rebellion protests, according to the latest police figures.

The group said they were targeting the city in an effort to cause “maximum disruption” as their protests entered a second week.