Specialist police assigned to Extinction Rebellion rallies

Scotland Yard plans 'proactive and swift' counter-action as forces send extra officers to London for October protest

Specialist police teams will be heading to London this weekend to help deal with two weeks of protests planned by Extinction Rebellion, the environmental activists who brought the capital to a standstill over Easter.

Metropolitan police will be put on 12-hour shifts from Monday, the first day of Extinction Rebellion's action, to free up as many officers as possible from regular duties.