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Police arrested the protesters on suspicion of causing a public nuisance and they remain in custody.

It made "intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance" a statutory offence.

Quakers in Britain has said the arrests for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, were the first at a meeting house "in living memory".

Causing a public nuisance also became a potential crime – providing the police with a powerful new tool to use against protestors who block roads.

Daniel Day, 29, of Palmerston Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, has been charged with causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site after climbing onto the clock tower, the Metropolitan Police said.