A Just Stop Oil protestor sits on Court 18 on day three of the Wimbledon Championships today
Suella Braverman urges sporting bodies to be 'more robust' in tackling eco-zealots after three arrested at Wimbledon protest
Suella Braverman last night urged sporting bodies to be 'more robust' in dealing with eco-zealots trying to wreck much-loved national events.
The Home Secretary and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer convened a summit of sporting bosses and police chiefs yesterday amid growing concern at the tactics of Just Stop Oil and other fanatics.
Home Office sources said Mrs Braverman told event bosses that she wanted to see stewards 'haul protesters off pitches' to minimise disruption and act as a deterrent to others.
'As long as they're not using excessive force then the Home Secretary and the police will back them,' the source said.
Yesterday's summit involved executives from 15 sporting bodies, including the Premier League, the British Horseracing Authority, Silverstone Circuits and the Lawn Tennis Association.
Suella Braverman (pictured) last night urged sporting bodies to be 'more robust' in dealing with eco-zealots trying to wreck much-loved national events
Police representatives told yesterday's summit that they are stepping up intelligence operations in order to prevent militants ruining a summer of sport.
Sporting chiefs agreed to step up stewarding at high profile events. They will also examine whether to seek injunctions in advance that could allow the police to act more quickly and make it easier to send protesters to jail.
Similar injunctions played a key role in disrupting previous actions by eco-protesters on the UK's motorway network.
Just Stop Oil and similar groups like Animal Rising, have already disrupted a string of major sporting events including the World Snooker Championships, last week's Ashes test match at Edgbaston and last year's women's Euros football tournament.
Yesterday, the group interrupted play at Wimbledon twice while the summit was taking place in Downing Street.
Speaking after the 'very productive' talks, the Home Secretary condemned the 'unacceptable' actions of protesters 'determined to ruin the day's play for spectators and sports fans across the world'.
She added: 'We will be uncompromisingly tough on the selfish protesters intent on spoiling our world-class sporting occasions this summer.
'Sports, police and Government are united against preventing further disruption of this kind.'
Miss Frazer said: 'We must protect the right to peaceful protest, but that does not give licence to a vocal minority to spoil events that millions of us enjoy.'
Ministers have pushed through a string of law changes designed to empower police to deal with the direct action tactics of protesters.
New stop and search powers allow police to detain people carrying items like superglue and padlocks if they are suspected of planning disruption.
The tactic of 'locking on' to prevent removal by police has been criminalised, as have slow march tactics deployed to disrupt traffic.
A new definition of 'serious disruption' has also been enshrined in law to make it easier for the police to act.
But ministers have been frustrated by the continuing level of disruption.
One government source said yesterday's summit was designed to 'knock some heads together', adding: 'We have taken a lot of action and we are prepared to take more. But we are still seeing these eco zealots causing disruption and ruining events. We need everyone pulling in the same direction now.'
Speaking after talks with Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali urged Just Stop Oil not to disrupt this weekend's British Grand Prix with 'selfish stunts'.
Mr Dowden said: 'Track protests this weekend could be extremely dangerous and put lives at risk.'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12268867/Suella-Braverman-urges-sporting-bodies-robust-tackling-eco-zealots.html
Simon Milner-Edwards (pictured) is a seasoned demonstrator who was previously jailed for his part in a protest outside Kingsbury Oil Depot
William Ward (pictured) is a trumpet-playing retired civil engineer who has gone on multiple hunger strikes in the name of eco activism
Deborah Wilde, 68, and former musician Simon Miltner-Edwards, 66, (pictured being led away by police) both invaded the Court 18 during Sho Shimabukuro's clash with Grigor Dimitrov, bringing the game to a temporary standstill
Ward threw environmentally-friendly orange confetti glitter and jigsaw pieces onto the courts before being led away
Ward ran onto court 18 and interrupted the female British number one Katie Boulter's match against Daria Saville at around 4:20pm today
He was later led away by police officers.
Britain's Katie Boulter was seen helping the ball boys and girls pick up orange confetti that had been thrown onto the floor. One member of staff was seen running on with a vacuum
Ward was then seen being dragged off the court by members of Wimbledon's security staff
It came just two hours after two other protestors were dragged off by security for disrupting another match on the same court
Ward was met with boos from the crowd and was soon escorted off by security at the event
The disruption, however, did not stop Boulter, who went on to win the match and will proceed to the second round of the tournament
Wilde runs onto Court 18 and releases confetti at Wimbledon this afternoon
Wilde running onto Court 18 and releasing confetti at Wimbledon this afternoon
Milner-Edwards sits on Court 18 on day three of the Wimbledon Championships today
Wilde on Court 18 releases confetti at Wimbledon this afternoon
Milner-Edwards is removed from Court 18 at Wimbledon today
Just Stop Oil protesters are escorted away by police at the Wimbledon Championships today
Wilde is removed from Court 18 at Wimbledon today
Milner-Edwards is removed from Court 18 at Wimbledon today
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti on Court 18 today
Just Stop Oil protesters are searched away by police after the incident on Court 18 today
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti on Court 18 today
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti on Court 18 today
Just Stop Oil activists are detained by police after throwing orange confetti on Court 18 today
Ground staff remove pieces of confetti from Court 18
Ball girls pick up the orange confetti thrown on Court 18
Ground staff clear orange confetti from Court 18
Ball girls pick up the orange confetti thrown on Court 18
Two members of the ground staff clear the court
The eco-mob were seen carrying signs and holding up traffic near The Shard in Borough today
The group caused fury among drivers trying to get to work as well as taxi drivers ferrying passengers during rush hour
Just Stop Oil protesters tell a motorist to halt as they carry out a slow march in Hanger Lane, west London
Protesters slow walking on the South Circular Road near its junction with the A40 in the west of the capital
Just Stop Oil eco clowns baffled shoppers in Harrods as they performed a bizarre escalator protest before being hauled out by security
Four protestors carrying signs were filmed today riding down the escalators of the department store on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge as members of the public watched on in confusion
The group were soon escorted out of the well known shopping complex by security
The group being escorted down a flight of stairs by security guards
An onlooker reprimanding the group and saying: 'You're stopping people going to the hospital who need treatment'
A motorcyclist drove straight through the group's latest demonstration
Just Stop Oil protesters were drenched in water by a Mr Davis who stood on his balcony as they held up yet more traffic in north London
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