A WOMAN has been brought down and arrested after climbing a gantry on the M25 which forced the Dartford Tunnels to close.

Officers were proactively patrolling the M25 when they became aware of a woman on a gantry at Junction 31 at the Dartford River Crossing shortly after 7am.

Specialist officers were mobilised quickly and managed to bring the woman down within 90 minutes of her being spotted.

As a result, the tunnels at the crossing were closed but one has since re-opened.

READ MORE >> Dartford Tunnel closed with five-mile queues as protesters climb the gantry

Essex Police has now conformed the woman protesting has been arrested.

A spokesman said: “A woman has been brought down from a gantry over the M25 and arrested within 90 minutes of being spotted as officers responded swiftly to reports of disruption.

“National Highways have responsibility for the decision to re-open the road and we are liaising with them.

“We then became aware of a second person on a gantry at Junction27 on the northbound track of the M25.

“Due to the dangerous position in which the protester has placed themselves, their movements across the gantry and the need to ensure the safety of road users and police officers the M25 has had to be closed in both directions.

“We have specialist officers on scene to arrest the protester as quickly as possible. Working with National Highways we will constantly review the road closure and open as many lanes as possible, as soon as possible.”

This is the second consecutive day Just Stop Oil has protested on the M25 and forced closures.

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow added: “We have been prepared for more acts of disruption and had officers proactively patrolling the M25 who’s quick actions have helped minimise the impact on the public this morning.

“However, we appreciate people just trying to go about their daily lives have been disrupted again, I completely understand the anger and frustration and want to assure people we are working hard to prevent these criminal acts and to respond was quickly as we can where they take place. 

“We have mobilised a significant amount of resources to deal with these incidents.

“These are resources which should be tackling knife crime, helping investigate sexual and domestic offences, and responding to burglaries.

“However, due to these actions they are not able to because we have had to divert them to these incidents. That is unacceptable.

“We will continue to work to keep people safe, keep Essex moving, and deal with criminal acts where they take place.”