Extinction Rebellion activists armed with HAMMERS smash up windows of Barclays Bank HQ

EXTINCTION Rebellion activists armed with hammers have today smashed windows at the Barclays Bank HQ in London.

Seven activists from the controversial group used tools to break the glass and pasted the message "In Case of Climate Emergency Break Glass" on the front of the building.

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They say their latest protest is aimed at highlighting the role of the financial sector in fuelling what they call the climate catastrophe.

Extinction Rebellion said the action was part of its so called “Money Rebellion” against the capitalist system.

They say it uses "nonviolent direct action, causing damage to property to prevent and draw attention to greater damage".

The group added: "It is the latest action in protest at the bank’s continued investments in activities that are directly contributing to the climate and ecological emergency."

BANK PROTEST

A Barclays spokesperson said: "Extinction Rebellion are entitled to their view on capitalism and climate change, but we would ask that in expressing that view they stop short of behaviour which involves criminal damage to our facilities and puts people’s safety at risk.

"We have made a commitment to align our entire financing portfolio to the goals of the Paris Agreement, with specific targets and transparent reporting, on the way to achieving our ambition to be a net zero bank by 2050, and help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy."

The group’s move against Barclays in the Canary Wharf business district came after fellow activists last week splashed black dye on the facade of the Bank of England in the historical financial centre, the City of London.

Extinction Rebellion wants to trigger a wider revolt against the political, economic and social structures of the modern world to avert the worst scenarios of devastation outlined by scientists studying climate change.

Campaigner Sophie Cowne, 30, from London, said: "You may dislike our action today but I ask you to compare a crack in a window to funding wildfires and flooded homes.

"We took action today because someone needs to raise the alarm, because broken windows are better than broken futures."

'MONEY REBELLION'

One of the pink hammers the activists used bore the slogan: “Care - act with love.”

In January it was reported that police will be given sweeping new powers to break up protests which bring chaos to the streets.

Home Secretary Priti Patel was drawing up laws to ban guerrilla tactics that disrupt businesses or transport links.

Senior officers will be allowed to impose a wide range of restrictions to prevent demos causing a public nuisance or harming livelihoods.

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A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "Police were called at approximately 7.13am on Wednesday April 7 to reports of a demonstration outside a commercial premises in Churchill Place, Canary Wharf.

"Officers attended and found a number of windows had been damaged.

"Seven women were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and taken into custody at an east London police station."

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