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Insulate Britain glue hands and faces to floor as latest protests see 52 arrests

The latest protests by Insulate Britain in London saw demonstrators glue themselves to the ground. (PA)
The latest protests by Insulate Britain in London saw demonstrators glue themselves to the ground. (PA)

Insulate Britain demonstrators continued their campaign of climate change protests by supergluing their hands and faces to roads at various sites around London on Monday.

The Metropolitan Police said 52 protesters were arrested at sites in Bishopsgate, Upper Thames Street, Limehouse Street and Southwark Bridge.

Members of the group, who are calling on the government to insulate millions of homes, glued themselves to the road and had to be dragged off by police.

In one instance, a man at Bishopsgate glued his face to the ground and appeared to be in pain as he was removed from the road.

Watch: Insulate Britain renews road block campaign in central London

They targeted London’s financial districts, taking to the streets of the City of London and Canary Wharf at about 8am on Monday and disrupting rush-hour traffic.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police attended to negotiate with activists, who sat in the road at the junction of Bishopsgate and Camomile Street, close to Liverpool Street.

Demonstrators who superglued their hands to the ground were released by officers before being arrested and led to police vehicles.

Police removing Insulate Britain protesters after they blocked a road near Canary Wharf in east London. Climate group Insulate Britain had pledged to restart its road-blocking protests despite the risk of its members being jailed or fined. Picture date: Monday October 25, 2021.
Police removing Insulate Britain protesters after they blocked a road near Canary Wharf in east London on Monday. (PA)

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As she was released, one woman claimed she was “in agony”.

Members of the public approached the protesters, with some saying they were “doing a good job”.

Others shouted at them as they passed by.

One man walked up to the protesters and said: “Why are you doing this? Get a job. I was trying to get to work and have had to walk just to get there. I pay my taxes.”

The activists did not reply and the man left the area.

One of the protesters, Emily, said she has been arrested 14 times for her involvement in demonstrations.

Another, Tony Hill, 71, said he had travelled from near Kendal in Cumbria to the capital to take part.

He said: “I’m here today out of anger, fear and determination. The anger that my government is failing the people of our country.

“The governments of the world are failing everyone. Everyone says we’re at the 11th hour but we’re at midnight and nothing substantial is being done by our government and the governments across the world.

“We’re saying insulate as many buildings as we can. It’s a no brainer. It’s something we can all do, it’s a solution.”

Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in east London. Climate group Insulate Britain had pledged to restart its road-blocking protests despite the risk of its members being jailed or fined. Picture date: Monday October 25, 2021.
Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in east London on Monday. (PA)
Protesters from Insulate Britain blocking a road near Canary Wharf in east London. Climate group Insulate Britain had pledged to restart its road-blocking protests despite the risk of its members being jailed or fined. Picture date: Monday October 25, 2021.
Protesters from Insulate Britain were back on the streets of London on Monday. (PA)

Insulate Britain, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, wants the government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

It blocked roads on 14 days over the five weeks to 14 October, with activists often gluing their hands to the carriageway to increase the length of time it took for police to remove them.

Hundreds of arrests were made, with some people detained several times.

The campaign continues despite injunctions leaving protesters facing court summons and possible imprisonment or an unlimited fine.

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The Metropolitan Police said 52 people had been arrested following demonstrations across London on Monday morning.

The force tweeted: “A total of 52 people have been arrested following a number of protests across London and the City of London this morning.

“We responded alongside @CityPolice to events on Bishopsgate, Upper Thames Street, Limehouse and on Southwark Bridge. Those arrested are en route to custody.”

Watch: Insulate Britain return to block roads in London