Met vows to crack down on the XR protesters amid fears for Marathon

A FOUR-DAY protest by up to 50,000 eco-warriors began in central London today as a senior Scotland Yard officer warned that protesters who blocked roads would be swiftly arrested.

- Anthony France, Rachael Burford

Demonstrators gathered this morning outside the Home Office and other Government departments in Marsham Street at the start of the “Big One” campaign. They banged drums and held signs demanding action to tackle climate change, before moving on to Parliament Square.

On Sunday the London Marathon is being held and there are fears the race could be disrupted by activists. Protest organisers Extinction Rebellion have been in talks with race director Hugh Brasher to ensure minimal disruption but there are concerns other groups might take action.

Just Stop Oil, a separate group, refused to rule out targeting other sporting events after invading the world snooker championships in Sheffield this week and showering a table at the Crucible with yellow powder.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said it would be “terrible” for protesters to disrupt the marathon “to make a political point” and they would face “very robust” action.