United Kingdom

Four Just Stop Oil Activists Charged with Protests at Highway Gas Stations | Environment

Four climate activists have been charged following protests at two Surrey highway service stations.

Nathan McGovern, 22, Amber Alexander, 18, Louis Hawkins, 22, and Rosa Sharkey, 22, have been charged with damaging more than 5,000 pounds, Surrey police said.

Four other people remain in custody, the force added.

Officers were called to the Cobham and Clackett Lane service areas shortly after 7 a.m. Thursday after reports that Just Stop Oil protesters were at the scene and clinging to pumps and blocking access to front yards.

Surrey police said in a statement Friday that a total of 55 pumps had been damaged during the protests.

McGovern, Alexander, Hawkins and Sharkey appeared in the Crowley Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon, the forces said. They were released on bail under court conditions.

All four were released on bail, provided they did not enter Surrey except to attend court, did not enter any petrol station in England and Wales, and did not obstruct any entrances or exits.

Conditions of release on bail also include living and sleeping at their home addresses, without being attached to any part of a petrol station or service station and not communicating with other defendants except for pre-arranged meetings with a lawyer or in court.

McGovern is also required to carry an electronic label.