TWO Bradford people were among Just Stop Oil (JSO) supporters arrested after blocking departure gates at London Gatwick Airport.

The group entered the South Terminal at around 8am and “used suitcases with lock-on devices to block the departure gates”, JSO claimed.

A video shared by the group showed the protesters sitting on the floor inside the airport, blocking an entrance.

Passengers with suitcases appeared to step over the activists and continue with their journeys.

A London Gatwick spokesman said earlier this morning: “London Gatwick is open and operating normally today.

“There are a small number of protesters at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport.”

Mollie Somerville, 77, a retired teacher from Manningham, and Ludi Simpson, 71, a retired planner from Shipley, were both arrested.

The Gatwick disruption was part of an internationally co-ordinated series of actions at airports across Europe and North America, said JSO. 

Mr Simpson said the “wellbeing of all of us is being destroyed”.

“The new government has decided not to issue new licenses for new oil fields to be explored, but much more is needed to stop fossil fuel companies waging war on humanity,” he said.

Ms Somerville added: “I fear adding to the devastation already caused to millions of poor people by the richer countries ignoring the impact of their use of fossil fuels.

“I have hope that together we can make a change to renewable energy that will benefit us all.”

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Police responded to a report that protesters were demonstrating near the security entrance at the South Terminal in Gatwick Airport at around 8am today.

“Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of interfering with public infrastructure, and a heightened police presence should be expected at this time.

“The airport is functioning as usual, and no disruption has been caused by protest activity.”

Earlier this month, the airport became the latest major airport to secure a High Court injunction in an attempt to stop would-be environmental activists trespassing on its land after receiving police intelligence over protest plans.

Timothy Morshead KC, representing Gatwick at the hearing, said such action could cause “severe disruption and financial loss” and “significant delays for passengers”.

Leeds Bradford Airport was also granted an injunction. 

A spokesperson said: "The safety of passengers, our colleagues and the public are paramount.

"This injunction protects our passengers, staff and business partners, and reduces the risk of disruption of passengers looking forwards to their holidays."

The spokesperson added: "We wholeheartedly support the decarbonisation of aviation and recognise that the right to protest is a fundamental and important human right. 

"However, disrupting people's travel plans and causing potentially fatal safety risks with irresponsible action is not the way to deliver the transition to net zero."