Study finds criminalising UK climate protesters backfires
politicsApr 25, 2026557
The Guardian reports a study of 1,300 UK climate campaigners found that arrests, fines and jail terms increased protesters' determination to take direct action. Researchers say penalties for nonviolent acts such as blocking roads, including arrests, fines and lengthy prison sentences, strengthened activists' resolve rather than deterring them. That matters because criminalising direct action can entrench disruptive campaigning, making deterrence-focused policing and laws counterproductive and prompting policymakers to reconsider how they respond to climate protests.
