The Metropolitan Police have requested 500 additional officers from 43 forces across England and Wales to help manage the ongoing Extinction Rebellion protests in central London. The move, described as a rare 'mutual aid' request, comes as officers struggle to contain the two-week 'shutdown' targeting landmarks, government buildings, and airports.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor admitted that the scale of the operation has affected normal policing, with less time available for victims of crime. 'We haven't stopped policing, we never will, but it does mean that some activities beyond the normal responses are affected,' he said. 'We cannot spend the amount of time with victims we would normally because we have to make sure we are dealing with the protests.'
More than 800 protesters have been arrested since the demonstrations began, including 91-year-old John Lynes. Despite the arrests, illegal camps in Whitehall and Horseferry Road remain in place as police take care to avoid injuring demonstrators and sparking compensation claims.
Protesters have held a variety of events, including a mass 'nurse-in' where mothers breastfed their babies, yoga sessions, and a giant octopus puppet being moved by police. The group has also announced plans to shut down City Airport from Thursday, with a Hong Kong-style occupation of the terminal building.
A London City Airport spokesman said they are working closely with the police to minimise disruption, and passengers will need to show boarding passes to access the terminal. Officers from Surrey, Sussex, Kent, and Hampshire have already been deployed to the capital.
