Heathrow Airport: At least 17 Just Stop Oil protesters arrested over disruption plans

At least 17 Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested for trying to disrupt Heathrow Airport, the environmental group has said.

Six people have been arrested after blocking the departure gates at Heathrow Terminal 5, alongside a person filming.

The Metropolitan Police said seven Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested on suspicion of public order offences after they blocked a passenger search area at the Heathrow terminal.

The force said that officers swiftly attended and removed the protesters with “minimal disruption caused”.

Just Stop Oil said that at least 10 others were also arrested on public transport.

A Heathrow spokesperson said that the protest was “swiftly resolved and all involved were immediately removed from the airport”.

They added: “Unlawful and irresponsible protest activity is not the way forward and will not be tolerated.

“Our priority will always be to maintain the safety of passengers and colleagues, and we'll continue to work closely with our partners and the police in taking proportionate action to protect travel plans this summer.”

It comes after two protesters were also arrested on Tuesday after coating Heathrow’s Terminal 5 in orange paint as the environmental protesters continue to target airports.

The protest group said Phoebe Plummer, 22, and Jane Touil, 58, entered Heathrow shortly after 8.30am on Tuesday and painted the entrance hall to Terminal 5, as well as the departure boards in the departures lounge.

Police and security arrived at the scene within minutes and proceeded to cordon off the area.

The pair were remanded to HMP Bronzefield, Just Stop Oil said after the pair appeared in at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Last week Just Stop Oil activist Ms Plummer was told to be prepared for jail after she was found guilty of throwing Heinz tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers masterpiece at the National Gallery in October 2022.She will be sentenced on September 27 alongside Anna Holland, who was also found guilty.