POLICE are appealing for drivers who missed hospital appointments, work, or significant life events as a result of an M25 environmental protest to come forward and assist the prosecution.

A protestor representing Just Stop Oil gained access to an overhead gantry near Junction 30 (Thurrock).

The protestor hung banners demanding the Government make a "meaningful statement" committing to stop development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.

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The motorway was closed and as specialist working at heights officers were brought to the scene to get protestor down safely.

Essex Police has made an arrest and is now colling for anyone who was inconvenienced to come forward and share their story with the force.

This would include people who could not attend medical appointments, could not attend planned work or who missed anything significant through the disruption.

This does not include motorists who were simply caught in the congestion caused by the disruption.

Detective Sergeant Harriet Ware, who is leading the Essex Police investigation, said: “We are aware this incident caused a significant amount of disruption to motorists and many people have been significantly inconvenienced by them.

“I know a substantial number of people will have been simply delayed by the disruption but specifically I would like to hear from anyone who could not attend medical appointments, could not attend planned work and therefore missed out on payment, missed, or were severely delayed, attending any significant life events.”

Following the protest, a spokesman for Just Stop Oil said: "The main thing is, we've just seen 40-degree temperatures, which have been predicted for decades, maybe it's happening a bit faster. But it has just revealed how inadequate the Government's preparations for climate change are and their entire policy, and basically we're just saying it's evident now we cannot continue.

"As we're going on, we need to stop new oil. It's the first step to ensuring we have a liveable future, and maybe it's already too late.”

Ms Ware added: “Coming forward will help us progress our investigations and help ensure we can keep the county’s roads moving freely in future.”

Anyone who was significantly inconvenienced on July 29 should email Harriet.ware@essex.police.uk