Grinning JSO protesters arrested near Manchester Airport (2024)

Four Just Stop Oilprotesters who were arrested near Manchester Airport this morning in a police swoop have been pictured grinning.

The environmental group released the snap following their arrest in which the foursome are seen huddled close together and smiling for the camera.

Just Stop Oil has named two of the four activists who have been arrested: Ella Ward, 21, - who previously threw paint on the offices of the Policy Exchange think-tank in Westminster - and shop worker Margaret Reid, 53, from Kent.

A 30-year-old woman and a man, 23, were also detained by officersfrom GreaterManchester Police's Specialist Operations Branch on suspicion of conspiring to cause a public nuisance.

The quartet have been taken into custody where they will be quizzed by officers.

They were also found to be in possession of items that the force believes would have been used to cause damage and significant disruption to the airport and its operations.

Chief Superintendent Mark Dexter said the arrests had 'no doubt prevented adetermined and targeted attack which would have brought significant delays and upset to those hard-working people heading off for their summer holidays'.

'We have been working hard with colleagues from Manchester Airport and police forces across the country, sharing intelligence, with the common goal to prevent these disruptive and targeted attacks on our airports,' he said.

'We have a duty of care to all members of the public. The right to protest must be respected, but we have a duty to balance that right against the rights of the public to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption and will undertake swift and decisive action to arrest those intent on causing disturbances.

'Anyone who sees anything suspicious or who has concerns about safety or security should speak to an officer or a member of the airport staff.'

Manchester Airport did not wish to comment when approached by MailOnline.

Ms Ward, an environmental science student from Birmingham said in a statement released by Just Stop Oil: 'I know I may be sent to prison and I know I could face many years inside. This fact terrifies me, but it doesn't alarm me as much as the impending societal collapse and the loss of everything we know and love, which is what we are facing if we don't take immediate and meaningful action against this crisis.'

Just Stop Oil has vowed to carry on 'to do whatever is nonviolently possible to demand a Fossil Fuel Treaty and to defend humanity from the consequences of climate breakdown'.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: 'Just Stop Oil supporters are always fully accountable for our actions and as such the four arrested today will accept any legal consequences.

'Accountability is a core feature of nonviolence, which is at the centre of Just Stop Oil's mission. We take action because we want a safe and stable society. Delivering a Fossil Fuel Treaty that ends oil and gas by 2030 is an essential step for our Government to prevent massive disorder.'

Activists from the environmental group have seen their attempts in recent weeks to unleash a 'summer of chaos' at airports across Europe foiled by officers.

They have been targeting airports in recent weeks in the campaign named 'Oil Kills'. Just Stop Oil said 21 groups across 12 countries have taken action at 21 airports so far.

Last week, a group of six demonstrators tried to block the security screening zone at London Heathrow 's Terminal Five.

They sat or stood holding signs saying 'oil kills' and 'sign the treaty' in front of the barriers to enter the area for departing passengers - but they were dragged away by police officers.

Heathrow confirmed all the protesters were 'swiftly' removed and there was no disruption or damage.

There was no apparent impact on flights, and Scotland Yard said seven people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

Just Stop Oil claimed the seven arrested people included six who were blocking the gates and then a further person filming the action. The group added that another ten people were arrested on public transport.

It comes after another protest in the same Heathrow terminal two days earlier saw two Just Stop Oil activists arrested after they sprayed orange paint on departure boards.

The protest followed another at London Gatwick the day beforewhen eight Just Stop Oil supporters were arrested for blocking departure gates.