UK

Six Greenpeace protesters arrested after scaling Britain’s tallest building

Group of six women reach top of Shard after 15 hours of climbing

Greenpeace demonstrators climb the Shard building, in central London. Greenpeace said the six women were protesting against drilling for oil in the Arctic. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters

Thu Jul 11 2013 - 13:18

Six Greenpeace protesters who scaled Britain’s tallest building have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, Scotland Yard said tonight. The group of female activists reached the top of the

Shard in central London this evening after 15 hours of climbing in protest at oil drilling in the Arctic.

After reaching the summit of the 72-storey building, two of the campaigners unfurled a large blue flag with ”Save the Arctic” written in white across it.

The 72-storey Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe. Photograph: Neil Hall/Reuters

The climbers start their ascent of the building. Photograph: David Sandison/Greenpeace/PA Wire

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Six female protesters that climbed the Shard today have been arrested. They have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.”

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Greenpeace said the protesters were “artists and activists.

“They chose to climb the Shard because it towers over Shell’s three London offices, including the oil giant’s global headquarters on the Southbank of the Thames.

"Shell is leading the oil companies' drive into the Arctic, investing billions in its Alaskan and Russian drilling programmes.

“A worldwide movement of millions has sprung up to stop them, but Shell is refusing to abandon its plans.”

The activists reached the top of the building at around 7.10pm. They were later driven away by police in an unmarked white van to the sound of cheers from supporters gathered at the foot of the landmark.

The women, who evaded security guards early this morning, said their climb was intended to put Shell and other oil companies in the spotlight. A Shard spokesman said that in the interests of public and protester safety, the viewing platform of the Shard had been closed to visitors.

The building’s emergency response team had advised that The View, the platform on floors 68, 69 and 72 which gives a view of London from 244m up, should be closed with immediate effect, he added.

“We apologise to guests for the inconvenience caused and The View will be pleased to honour their tickets either later on today or on a different date,” the spokesman said.

All three restaurants and offices in the building remained open.

The demonstrators live-streamed the climb on the internet from helmet cameras.

PA

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