Advertisement
Activism

Over 100 Insulate Britain protesters have been charged with criminal offences

The activists face charges of criminal damage, public nuisance, and wilful obstruction of the highway

Over 100 Insulate Britain protesters have been charged with criminal offences after the group blocked roads during its campaign of resistance in 2021.

In total, 293 charges have been brought against 117 of the group’s activists, comprising of causing a public nuisance, wilful obstruction of the highway, and criminal damage.

A number of Insulate Britain members were jailed for civil offences after breaking an injunction against the group, but activists say the volume of new criminal charges was worrying.

Cameron Ford, a carpenter from Cambridge who is due to appear in court, said: “The CPS undertaking these mass prosecutions is an attempt by our government to ignore and avoid addressing the biggest dangers facing people right now.”

The harshest penalty – for public nuisance – carries a typical maximum sentence of up to five years.

The summoned protesters will appear at hearing at Crawley, Chelmsford and Stratford magistrates courts across April and May.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement

The group has not blocked roads in 2022, with some of the group’s members putting their efforts towards Just Stop Oil – who made headlines by locking themselves to goalposts during Premier League matches.

Nick Till, a university professor from London appearing at Crawley Magistrates on April 6, said: “I do not regret my actions. Even though I regret the inconvenience caused to many of my fellow citizens by my actions, it is nothing compared to what is coming down the line for those same people and their loved ones if we fail to do anything.”

In total, 174 people were arrested 857 times during Insulate Britain’s autumn campaign, according to the group.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

SIGN THE PETITION

Will you sign Big Issue's petition to ask Keir Starmer to pass a Poverty Zero law? It's time to hold government to account on poverty once and for all.

Recommended for you

Read All
As the government moves to ban Palestine Action, are terror laws being used for 'political policing'?
Yvette Cooper
Protest

As the government moves to ban Palestine Action, are terror laws being used for 'political policing'?

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out'
Protesters in Cardiff outside their local MP's office with a sign saying 'welfare not warfare'
Disability benefits

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out'

These scientists felt powerless over the climate crisis – so they decided to do something about it
Climate activism

These scientists felt powerless over the climate crisis – so they decided to do something about it

Meet the new Big Issue ambassadors helping to end poverty once and for all: 'We're in a fight'
Big Issue Ambassadors

Meet the new Big Issue ambassadors helping to end poverty once and for all: 'We're in a fight'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue