Residents and motorists across Thurrock endured repeated disruption thanks to the nuisance tactics from the ‘Just Stop Oil’ agitators. They caused misery for many thousands of us who were just going about our daily lives.
They delayed emergency response vehicles, parents dropping their kids off at school and carers visiting the people they look after.
They could have made their views known through peaceful protesting. Instead, they choose extreme tactics to generate headlines and it backfired on them.
The Conservative Government made it clear that their disruptions were totally unacceptable and whilst the Police did their best to cope with their extreme tactics, it was clear they needed additional powers to deal with them more effectively.
Of the 900 arrests Police made across the country, over half were here in Thurrock!
The Government has now given the Police extra powers to deal with nuisance protestors if they try to disrupt our lives again.
Labour tried to stop us giving these powers to our Police, but thankfully they were defeated. Common sense won the day.