A raised platform is arriving "imminently" on the QEII bridge as police seek to reach a safe conclusion to the protest at Dattford Crossing.

Essex Police has said it is continuing to work with partners to remove two people at height on the bridge.

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The platform will allow specialists to work at height and "continue meaningful engagement" with two people.

The force added that when a safe conclusion is reached, the pair will be arrested.

Essex Police tweeted: "A raised platform is being brought in as we seek to resolve the situation on the #DartfordCrossing and bring it to a safe conclusion.

"We're continuing to work with our partners to remove 2 people at height on the bridge.

"When a safe conclusion is reached, they will be arrested.

"A raised platform is arriving imminently on the QEII bridge.

"That platform will allow specialists to work at height & continue meaningful engagement with 2 people."

Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: “The two people who remain at height on the bridge have put themselves in danger.

"As a result, we and our emergency services face a considerable challenge.

“Our priority is to keep our county moving but we also have a duty of care to the two  people, as well as those who may be involved in any resolution at height.

"I know this situation is incredibly frustrating, but we are doing everything possible to resolve this situation as quickly and as safely as possible.

"We are not in any way anti-protest.

"However, it is unacceptable for people to think they can put lives in danger and selfishly stop others going about their lives and the public rightly expect us to take action against anyone who believes they can do this – and we will.”

The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex, was closed on Monday after it was scaled by two climbers from the group.

It has been closed today for the second day in a row.

The environmental activist group has demanded that the Government “halts all new oil and gas licences and consents” and said the climbers will remain on top of the bridge until they are “brought down”.

Downing Street said new offences and tougher police powers would help tackle the “guerrilla tactics” employed by Just Stop Oil.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman would not be drawn on the police response to the Dartford Crossing protests.

“I wouldn’t get into comment on individual operational policing decisions,” he said, but added: “I think we have seen in the past, too often, these protesters able to disrupt lives, cause mass misery and stop emergency services going about their work.”

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act and the Public Order Bill going through the Commons on Tuesday would beef up the powers available to officers.

“We are we are ensuring the police have even more powers so they can stop these sorts of guerrilla tactics,” the spokesman said.

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