Eleven members of a group, including a man from Kent, who caused havoc on the M25 by blocking various junctions have been convicted.

Insulate Britain blocked the key junction close to junction 31 of the M25, at the A282 early on September 13, 2021.

It formed just part of the protestors’ actions that month which led to severe traffic delays across the country.

Biff Whipster, 56, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury, was one of the members charged and convicted by Essex Police following a lengthy investigation.

Whipster had denied the offence alongside six others but was found guilty on March 7 after a three-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

The disruption on that day had knock-on impacts on the M25, A13, A282 and the A20.

The team of officers tasked with building the case against the group worked determinedly to secure charges against them.

All 11 members were charged with causing a public nuisance and will now be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on April 19.

In total, the Essex Police investigation was able to show a total estimated economic impact of at least £118,000 and about 6,500 hours lost in delays to thousands of motorists inconvenienced.

Detective Sergeant Chris Arnold, who led the investigation, said: “This is a great result following an extensive and exhaustive investigation. The trial was tough, but the prosecution team managed to overcome the many obstacles placed by the defence.

“This result is a testament to the hard work of the investigative team, not least PC Jamie Cunningham, PC Ann Marie Hardingham, PC Elizabeth Ferris, without whom we wouldn’t have had such a positive result.

“Protest is essential to our democracy and our way of life and policing will always seek to facilitate it. But what happened in September 2021 was not legal; it was criminal disruption which severely impacted on a many people.”

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Nelson, who directed the team’s work as senior investigating officer, added: “The work of Chris, Jamie, Ann Marie and Elizabeth cannot be underestimated.

“In total, their work has led to more than 90 convictions related to road disruption in 2021."

Those now convicted after trial are:

Biff Whipster, 56, of Oakwood Road, Sturry, Canterbury

Nicholas Till, 68, of Rheidol Terrace, London, N1

Nicholas Onley, 61, of Richmond Road, London, N15

Rob Stuart, 42, Chingford Road, London, E17

Louise Lancaster, 58, of High Street, Barton, Cambridge

Janine Eagling, 63, of Tower Hamlets Road, London, E17

David Crawford, 70, of Falkland Road, Dorking.

Those convicted after earlier admitting the offence:

Tim Speers, 38, of Princes Avenue, Hull

Stefania Morosi, 46, of Hessel Road, London, W13

Donald Bell, 68, of Bliss Way, Cambridge

Gabriella Ditton, 30, of Silver Road, Norwich.