Insulate Britain clampdown as 74 people charged over road-blocking protests

Seventy-four people have been charged over Insulate Britain’s road-blocking protests.

Kent Police said the prosecutions relate to incidents on the M25 motorway and near the Port of Dover on several dates in September and October last year.

It is believed to be the first time criminal proceedings have been launched in relation to Insulate Britain activists.

They have previously only faced legal action in the civil courts, with several jailed for breaching injunctions.

Kent Police said its work with the Crown Prosecution Service resulted in 74 people facing a total of 104 charges.

There are 73 charges of public nuisance, 29 charges of obstruction and two charges of criminal damage to a police car.

The defendants have been summoned to attend hearings at Crawley Magistrates’ Court from April.

Nineteen people arrested in connection with the protests were released without charge.

Insulate Britain wants the Government to insulate all UK homes by 2030 to cut carbon emissions.

It repeatedly blocked major roads between September and November, causing long traffic jams.