Extinction Rebellion protesters have placed more strain on police this year than the Grenfell Tower fire and the London Bridge and Westminster terror attacks combined, a top officer says. Since April this year, the force has pulled a record 83,000 frontline officers away from normal duties to tackle the Extinction Rebellion protests. Extinction Rebellion is promising to cause more disruption than in April when they paralysed parts of the capital for 11 days. It cost Scotland Yard £16million to police the demonstrations, which could have paid the annual salaries of 600 bobbies on the beat. Since April this year, the force has pulled a record 83,000 frontline officers away from normal duties to tackle the Extinction Rebellion protestsMr Ephgrave said it was clear protesters planned to 'overwhelm' police and added Scotland Yard has had to 'mobilise significant resources', including calling on officers from other forces.

Source: Daily Mail October 02, 2019 22:30 UTC