Extinction Rebellion has twice this year caused a period of havoc on Britain’s streets. Shocking statistics have been released that October’s so-called ‘Westminster Shutdown’ cost £21 million. When costs relating to April’s protests are also accounted for, the yearly cost in 2019 for policing XR is £37 million. This is over double the amount of money allocated to the violent crime squad which stands at £15million.
The Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has also stated that when other costs are accounted for this figure will rise further. Many in Britain will be far from happy to hear these figures. Over 1,700 people were arrested across the two-week October protest. During the 2018/19 football season, Stoke City recorded the most arrests with 80 across a 9-month period. Football clubs are forced to pay for the policing of their supporters, many may suggest this is a more than justified approach for XR.
The number of arrests in London are largely as a result in the police stepping up their efforts against XR. The freedom of right to peacefully protest is absolutely a right that must be upheld in Britain and across the world. However, with violent crime on the rise nationwide, could police resources be used more effectively elsewhere.
There’s no doubt that Extinction Rebellion has helped put climate change on the UK’s political agenda. However, the organisation ‘Green and Black Cross’, an organisation that assists protesters in knowing their legal right have withdrawn any future assistance for XR. One of the reasons the ‘Green and Black Cross’ gave for this decision was: “until a culture of solidarity, democratic accountability and security develops within the organisation, GBC will be unable to encourage legal observers to support XR actions”.
It would appear that the tactics used recently by XR have not won them much support. Many will be frustrated at the personal inconvenience or the behaviour of some of the protesters. This public support will be crucial going forward in the climate battle and many feel irreversible damage was done by XR’s criminals.
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Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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