A TOP police chief in Essex has criticised protestors who blocked a busy junction on the M25 this morning. 

Members of Insulate Britain reportedly glued their hands to the road while blocking junction 30 in Thurrock. 

It caused long tailbacks on both the M25 clockwise and A13 westbound. 

The protestors pitched up some time around 8am and police confirmed officers were on the scene within minutes.

Nine people were eventually arrested and police reopened all lanes on the M25 by 10.30am. 

A police spokesman said the force understood drivers' frustrations at the congestion caused and thanked them for their patience. 

Andy Prophet, Essex Police's deputy chief constable, praised officers for their work but was critical of those responsible for causing the delays.

He tweeted: "Rapid response from Essex Police to protesters blocking the road network.

"It's dangerous and irresponsible.

"Officers worked hard to get the road open. Thank you for your patience."

It was the eighth day of protesting carried out by Insulate Britain. 

The group has staged other demonstrations on the M25 in Essex in the past two weeks, as well as in Kent, Hertfordshire and Surrey.

After today's protest, a spokesman for Insulate Britain said: "We are raising the tempo this week as, despite the urgency of the situation, there has been no meaningful response from the government to our demands.

"We are deeply concerned that with rising fuel bills and not enough action on insulation, there will be further unnecessary suffering and deaths among the most vulnerable this winter.

“It's not just cold and hungry Britain, it's billions of pounds wasted on fuel costs for everyone. Failing to help hardworking families, failing to stop poverty fuel deaths, failing to protect the country we love from the biggest threat it has ever faced.

"We need our government to keep us safe. Boris, get on with the job.”

The spokesman added the group were in breach of a court injunction which means protestors blocking the M25 could face unlimited fines or even jail. 

The group openly admitted it had defied the court order during another protest in Kent on Wednesday.