FOUR people were arrested, and two were charged, following climate protests which saw people sitting in roads across Dorset.

Roads were blocked in Christchurch, Westbourne, Dorchester, Weymouth and Sherborne on Saturday as campaigners protested the lack of action from government to tackle climate change.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police was made aware of reports of protest activity involving members of the public sitting in the public highway at various locations in Dorset at around 11am on Saturday, May 1.

“The locations included Trinity Street in Dorchester, Fountain Way in Christchurch, Jubilee Close in Weymouth and Half Moon Street in Sherborne. At each location just one person was reported to be involved. It is believed this was part of a national protest.

“Officers attended and attempted to engage with the individuals involved and encourage them to move out of the public highway. Officers arrested three people – at the locations in Dorchester, Weymouth and Sherborne – on suspicion of wilful obstruction of the highway after they reportedly refused to comply with officers’ requests to move.

“A 35-year-old man from Cheddar in Somerset, who was arrested in connection with the Dorchester incident, and a 43-year-old Weymouth woman, who was arrested in connection with the incident in Weymouth, have both been charged with wilful obstruction of a public highway and resisting or obstructing a police constable in the execution of their duty. They are both due to appear at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 19.

“A man aged in his 50s who was arrested in connection with the incident at Sherborne was released without charge.

“A further report was received at 12.30pm of a man in the road at Poole Road in Westbourne.

“Officers attended and after the man reportedly refused their request to move he was arrested on suspicion of wilful obstruction of a public highway. Following further engagement with officers, he was de-arrested at the scene.

“Dorset Police will seek to facilitate peaceful protests where they are lawful but we also have to consider the safety of road users and the general public, including the protestors involved, and we will take positive action to ensure this is maintained.”