Suella Braverman hits back at eco zealots with fresh laws giving police powers to remove protesters blocking roads

• New laws will allow police to cart off demonstrators who block the roads
• Read more: Just Stop Oil zealots block ambulance as they stage road stunts

Suella Braverman launched a fresh attack on eco-zealots last night as she unveiled measures to tackle disruptive ‘slow marching’ tactics.

New laws – expected to be in place within weeks – will allow police to cart off demonstrators who block the roads.

The key measures had to be dropped from the Public Order Bill, which completed its passage through Parliament this week, after being blocked by Labour and other opposition peers.

Now the Home Secretary is introducing almost identical legal changes by an alternative route, known as a statutory instrument, which can be implemented more quickly.

It comes after a series of protests by Just Stop Oil activists caused disruption in the capital this week.

Suella Braverman launched a fresh attack on eco-zealots last night as she unveiled measures to tackle disruptive ‘slow marching’ tactics

New laws – expected to be in place within weeks – will allow police to cart off demonstrators who block the roads

More than 50 activists staged a fourth day of slow marches around busy areas including Waterloo Bridge and Oxford Street – even blocking an ambulance from passing.

However, the protesters were cleared off the road in minutes after Met officers took firm action, issuing four Section 12 Public Order Act warnings.

Yesterday the Mail reported how deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor, who is leading the force’s response, said vague legislation was making it ‘challenging’ for officers to respond effectively.

Announcing the new measures last night, the Home Secretary said: ‘Selfish, disruptive protesters are wreaking havoc in people’s everyday lives across the country and this must be brought to a stop.

Announcing the new measures last night, Home Secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) said: ‘Selfish, disruptive protesters are wreaking havoc in people’s everyday lives across the country and this must be brought to a stop’ 

‘This is why we are bringing forward this new law to clearly define serious disruption as requested by police chiefs.

‘Not only will the Public Order Bill introduce new criminal offences for causing serious disruption, this new legislation permits the police to clear the roads of slow marching protesters who are hell-bent on causing chaos across the UK.’

Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said they are ‘committed to responding quickly and effectively to activists who deliberately disrupt people’s lives’.

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