Extinction Rebellion eco-warriors cause third day of chaos as protests are revealed to have cost London £12m so far

Climate protesters from Extinction Rebellion glued themselves to a train at a station in London on a third day of protests which have cost London businesses more than £12 million.

The protesters, a man and a woman, climbed on top of a Docklands Light Railway train and said they were staging a “peaceful protest."

Another man glued himself to the train's window as part of the latest protests in the capital. He was prised off the window by police as he was arrested.

It emerged today that shops and businesses in the West End have lost more than £12 million due to the protests.

A protester is removed from the roof of a DLR train
AFP/Getty Images

The sum was revealed by the New West End Company as activists threatened to escalate the demonstration with action to disrupt commuters on the Tube and trains.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) have been bringing transport systems in London to a standstill in a move it called “the Pause”, an attempt to get people to stop and think about climate change.

A climate protester is removed from the top of the DLR train
AFP/Getty Images

British Transport Police have deployed an extra 150 officers on patrols on Tube and rail stations to head off disruption with officers prepared for action, including protesters getting on tracks.

Police remove a woman from the roof of a DLR train at Canary wharf
AFP/Getty Images

Wi-fi was switched off across the Tube network this morning in an effort to prevent protesters from co-ordinating activities and sharing videos on social media.

Superintendent Matt Allingham, of BTP, said: “We will not tolerate any activity which disrupts the millions of passengers who rely on using the rail network in London.”

The man is led away in handcuffs (REUTERS)
Reuters

By midday on Wednesday, police had arrested a total of 300 protesters.

A woman was also led from the scene by police officers
REUTERS

Sefan White, 24, who works for a company that produces bar snacks, was stopped from getting to work by them.

He said: "I'm devastated. I'm trying to get to a job now. We've got to go round Camden on a 30-pub journey and we're going to be late now. We're probably going to lose money today.

"They've had their picture, fair enough, that's all you need now. Why is he spending 15 minutes on top of the tube? Explain that."

On Wednesday morning Extinction Rebellion said it would disrupt one London Overground line at 11am.

A statement said: "Our aim is to create moments in time when humanity stops and fully considers the extent of the harm we have done and are doing to life on earth.

"It is vitally important at this time. It is a matter of life and death - whether you live in Tower Hamlets or Taipei, Melbourne or Mumbai."

Climate change protestors in Canary Wharf station
AFP/Getty Images

Wi-Fi at stations has been disabled in a bid to stop activists intent on disrupting services co-ordinating protests.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokeswoman said: "In the interests of safety and to prevent and deter serious disruption to the London Underground network, BTP has taken the decision to restrict passenger Wi-Fi connectivity at Tube stations.

Extinction Rebellion at Canary Wharf Station - In pictures

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"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we would like to assure passengers that this decision is not taken lightly and will be reviewed throughout the day."

On the protest in Canary Wharf, she added: "At 10.50am officers were called to Canary Wharf DLR station after reports of protesters obstructing a DLR train in the station platforms.

"Units are in the process of responding, including specialist teams trained in protest removal."

Climate change protesters stand atop a DLR train at Canary Wharf
AFP/Getty Images

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that while he shared the passion of the protesters about the urgent need to tackle climate change, he was "extremely concerned" about plans to disrupt the London Underground.

In a statement posted on Twitter he said: "It is absolutely crucial to get more people using public transport, as well as walking and cycling, if we are to tackle this climate emergency - and millions of Londoners depend on the Underground network to get about their daily lives in our city.

"Targeting public transport in this way would only damage the cause of all of us who want to tackle climate change, as well as risking Londoners' safety and I'd implore anyone considering doing so to think again."

XR demonstrations have been taking place at Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch this week.

The protests have led to road closures, traffic gridlock and serious disruption to public transport and local businesses, with 55 bus routes closed and 500,000 people affected.

A police officer talks to a protester in a blockade on Waterloo Bridge 
Getty Images

Groups of protesters remained in place through the night and into Wednesday morning at several locations, blocking the road at Marble Arch and Oxford Circus.

A woman at Marble Arch, who gave her name as Virginia, said she had come from Oxford to join the protest "to keep the planet in good nick for my grandchildren".

EPA

Police have said 290 people had been arrested in connection with the demonstrations, with many of these at Waterloo Bridge.

Scotland Yard said on Wednesday that "contingency plans are in place should custody suites become full".

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