Just Stop Oil block emergency ambulance going to London hospital

Protesters block Victoria Embankment, outside New Scotland Yard, as an emergency ambulance using emergency lights tries to get to St Thomas' Hospital. A police Chief Inspector tells protesters "it's down to you whether you makes space for it to come through or not" as other officers urge protesters to move out of the road. Some protesters had already locked arms and glued themselves to the road. The ambulance eventually passed. Several arrests were made.

[martinwright]

just shows a perfect example of how pathetic our police force is. Asking them if they are going to move. HEAVEN HELP US

[madmage]

I'm shocked that the police didn't even offer the protestors a cup of coffee

[densalbeach]

I have always supported and respected our police, but this is pathetic. The police are their to enforce the law, not to plead with a bunch of crusty numpties and spoiled children!

[Alcopop]

After 75 years I feel ashamed to call myself English after seeing what our police force have become. Pathetic isn't the right word.

[ianmcfadden]

What a world we live in when the Police have to politely ask scum to move for an Ambulance

[Kiwi]

The police say 'There's an ambulance, it's down to you whether you move or not'. UNBELIEVABLE.

[trustydiamond]

Our police are pathetic..."...it's up to you whether you let it through"
I can hardly believe it

[nakoloc]

WHY do police ALLOW THEM to break the law, remaining in the street blocking traffic? To me, their lack of law enforcement makes them complicit.

[AnimaChristisalvame]

Once upon a time, the police would have cleared the road with everyone arrested.

[Sheen]

Our police are an utter embarrassment.

[pershorefoodbanktrusselltr]

Why are they negotiating with them! Just arrest them for f**k sake!!

[marcellocolona]

Absurd how law enforcement does nothing. Here in Florida they’d be dragged away, thrown in jail and face criminal charges, but only after our “good old boys” served them a helping of southern hospitality.

[pmarsh]

As a retired police officer I do despair! In the video clip, there is sufficient resources to clear the road and make arrest. Police need to be more robust and stop worrying about their actions.

[daviddean]

Utterly deplorable…….. why were they not either arrested or physically moved out of the way, immediately? Whose interests are the police really protecting here ?

[JL-rxhl]

I thought "wilfully blocking the highway" was an arrestable offence with £5000 fine and up to 51 weeks in jail, so why are the police not arresting everyone of them and charging

[hdrake]

They need to be forcefully removed and charged to the fullest extent of the law.

[Ura_Jack_Off]

*Highway Act 1980 - Section 137;*
_If a person, without lawful authority or valid excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway, they are guilty of an offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine._

[nekotranslates]

Blocking road to protest isn't protest, just an annoyance. These protestors should be arrested.
If you want to protest, stand on the pavement and protest there, not block the road.

[Mr.Grimsdale]

The police say its upto you whether you move or not to let an ambulance through which is unbelievable and also some one gets a £190 fine for driving into a bus-lane to let an ambulance through.

[cibernena]

Here in the US, you have the right to assembly. However, if you're blocking an ambulance, you're going to get arrested. And you may possibly get sued by the patient or their family for delaying their access to medical attention, depending on if it's an extreme emergency, such as a life or death situation.