ROAD CHARGE: Junction-blocking Insulate Britain activists get charges and notices

The Insulate Britain activists who blocked Junction 18 near Chorleywood, amongst many others, in September of last year have begun to receive charges and notices for their disruption.

The campaigning pressure group, who blocked roads across the country in a bid to get the government to insulate the UK’s houses, announced on April 4 the beginning of criminal proceedings for 117 of its members for their part in the disruption.

Of the 56 people arrested in connection with the group across Hertfordshire, 32 received Community Protection Notices, 2 got criminal damage charges and the rest are still being investigated by National Highways.

In a statement from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Nick Caveney, who led the police response to the incidents at the time, said: “Our main priority was to minimise the disruption caused to local residents, businesses, and road users.

“We employed robust plans in order to achieve this, which allowed us to make arrests and clear the incidents swiftly, in most cases before protestors even managed to get on to the carriageway.

“Between 13 September and 29 October, we arrested 56 people in relation to protest activity across Hertfordshire. All of those arrested were issued with Community Protection Notice Warnings.

“This means that they were given a written warning stating that if they continue behaving anti-socially, they will be given a Community Protection Notice (CPN).

“30 people were later issued with a CPN, which outlined conditions they must abide to. 2 people were charged with criminal damage in relation to the protest activity.

“A number of people were also pursued by National Highways in relation to the contempt of High Court following the breach of an injunction, which was separate to the police investigation, though we fully supported them with their investigation and worked in partnership in order to secure convictions.

“We also supported neighbouring forces with evidence of offences in Hertfordshire, as several protestors were involved in incidents in multiple force areas.”