Hertfordshire's assistant chief constable has blamed an "out of context" video after one of her officers was criticised on social media for her handling of climate change activists.
On Wednesday, protesters from Insulate Britain sat themselves down on a major roundabout where the M25 and A1 meet in South Mimms.
The police arrived on the scene just after 8am and at 11.19am, confirmed via its social media channels that 18 people had been arrested.
But one officer has come under-fire for comments she was filmed making to protesters who were sat in the road.
In the 16 second clip, she can be heard saying: "Any questions at all just ask and if any of you are in any discomfort or need anything just let me know and we'll try and sort you out...if you need any assistance at all, let me know."
Not Essex police. I believe this was @HertsPolice
— Nick (@GGamer002) September 17, 2021
Hertfordshire Constabulary, which has also dealt with protests at junction 20 for the M25 in Kings Langley and at junction 5 for the M1 near Watford this week, says it is aware of the footage circulating in the media and social media.
Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said: "The officer’s actions have been the subject of some commentary however one of the clips being shared is a clip that is incomplete and out of context.
"Prior to this shortened clip, the officer told the protesters that if they did not move off the road that they would be arrested. However protesters had glued themselves to the tarmac making their removal more difficult and a higher risk of them coming to injury. In these circumstances it is appropriate that we communicate this to them.
"We fully support the actions of our officers who removed the protesters as swiftly as possible in the circumstances.
"We are aware that since this incident the officer has received many unacceptable and ill-informed comments which do not reflect her undoubted professionalism and commitment."
Responding to the M25 protests, Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has said he is "not convinced the police were able to do much more under the current circumstances" and has described Insulate Britain's actions as "unforgivable" adding the group is "putting lives at risk".
Mr Lloyd praised officers who cleared protesters from the M1 slip road at Watford within 20 minutes on Friday, saying "this is the type of reaction the vast majority of people expect the police to take in these circumstances".
Home Secretary Priti Patel is said to have told police this week to take "decisive" action to crack down on the protests which have blighted numerous motorway junctions and brought traffic to a halt.
Insulate Britain said its "actions will continue until the Government makes a meaningful commitment to insulate all of Britain’s 29 million leaky homes by 2030, which are among the oldest and most energy inefficient in Europe"
One supporter, Liam Norton, a 36-year-old electrician from London, said he is "shocked at the lack of significant action from our Government".
He went on: "It’s a no brainer. Insulating Britain will reduce emissions, provide hundreds of thousands of jobs and stop our elderly dying in cold homes each winter. So stop messing about, Boris, and get on with the job.
"As soon as a statement is made that we can trust and is meaningful, we will get off the roads."
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