Extinction Rebellion say six protesters arrested after WTW office defaced

Extinction Rebellion have said that several of its protesters were arrested after targeting WTW’s London office.

Protesters targeted the insurance broker’s base in Lime Street yesterday (29 October 2024) and covered the building with fly posters and chalk spray paint.

It was one of many insurance firms to be targeted this week, with the protests forming part of the Insure Our Survival Campaign.

This aims to stop insurance firms from insuring new fossil fuel projects.

Pictures show police being present at the WTW protest. XR said that six of its protesters were arrested.

City of London Police told Insurance Times: “On Tuesday 29 October, officers arrested five people in connection with criminal damage outside a building on 51 Lime Street. They were all subsequently released.

“On 30 October, a man was arrested at 51 Fenchurch Street on suspicion of breaching court bail conditions.”

Other protests

Other firms targeted on Tuesday include Swiss Re, with protesters blockading The Gherkin.

Meanwhile, Monday saw XR target the Walkie Talkie building, which is home to Ascot, Talbot, Chaucer, Markel, Allied World, CNA Hardy and Tokio Marine Kiln.

Insure Our Survival spokesperson Steve Tooze said: “They can make it impossible for fossil fuel bosses to keep drilling and digging by pulling the plug on the insurance that covers their huge financial losses if things go wrong.

“Unless insurers meet our demand to stop insuring new oil and gas, we will keep targeting them with mass non-violent direct action.”