750 people have been arrested and 28 charged since the protests began (Image: NC)
Their non-violent "love bombing" tactic is a "very clever strategy", according to Ken Marsh, chairman of the Met Police Federation. He said the fact protesters are "happily" being arrested means police are "damned if we do and damned if we don't". By yesterday evening, more than 750 people had been arrested and 28 had been charged since the protests began on Monday. Campaigners - who have only been given permission to demonstrate at Marble Arch - have continually broken the law since then, occupying Oxford Circus, Waterloo Bridge and Parliament Square. A pink boat in the centre of Oxford Circus - which actress Dame Emma Thompson used as a stage to address the crowds - was removed on Friday night, but protesters soon reoccupied the street. The group behind the protest - Extinction Rebellion - called for more people to join them today and tomorrow to mark a week of action.
Organisers invited Londoners to "share a feast" at Marble Arch today and join "The Last Picnic" on Easter Monday, where they intend to block the busy A40 Westway - a key route into central London from the west.
Yesterday, around 1,750 officers were called to deal with the demo after the Met Police drafted in colleagues from other forces.
Mr Marsh said: "Most people were law-abiding and don't want to break any laws - they just want to demonstrate and prove their point.
"But that was difficult for us to deal with as we are not used to a scenario of hundreds of people who are happy to be arrested. It is so draining. As soon as we cleared 100, another 200 would appear and we don't do kettling any more.
Campaigners have only been given to protest at Marble Arch but have extended to other key areas (Image: GETTY)
"They want as many people as possible to go through the judicial
