Just Stop Oil protesters spray paint New Scotland Yard

A woman doused the police headquarters' famous revolving sign in orange paint while others blocked the road outside.

By Guy Birchall, news reporter
Friday 14 October 2022 


A Just Stop Oil activist has been arrested after spray painting the sign outside New Scotland Yard.

Protestors descended on the Metropolitan Police's HQ after two members of the group were earlier arrested at the National Gallery for flinging tomato soup over Van Gough's Sunflowers.

Pictures show an activist holding what appears to be a fire extinguisher and coating the famous revolving sign outside in orange paint.

Officers in high vis jackets quickly descended on the scene and carted her off.

Other protesters outside New Scotland Yard were sat on the road blocking traffic with some apparently thrusting their arms into a section of metal piping to make them harder to move while others glued themselves to the road.




One of the protestors, Gabby Ditton, 28, from Norwich, told PA: "We did try petitions and marches and strongly worded emails before this, but that didn't work. And now we're in a situation where all of life on earth could be destroyed forever in the name of short-term profit. So yeah, I absolutely support this.

"It's peaceful, it's non-violent, it's stressful to watch but what other choice do we have?"

A total of 24 protesters were arrested outside New Scotland Yard, according to police.

A statement after the incident read: "Met police officers have arrested 24 protesters on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage after activists sprayed orange paint at New Scotland Yard's revolving sign; and wilful obstruction of the highway after they sat down in the carriageway outside New Scotland Yard.





"Several individuals 'locked on' or glued themselves onto the road surface. Specialist officers have now removed them and they are being taken into custody at various central London police stations."

Just Stop Oil protestors have upped their activism in London recently blocking off numerous streets and defacing art works.

Earlier this week the group were slammed on social media after emergency services vehicles were held up by their blockade.