Police have made several arrests after protesters blocked the exit slip road for Watford on the M1.

Hertfordshire Constabulary says it received a report that protesters were lying in the road at junction five of the motorway on the northbound carriageway at 10.36am on Friday.

The protesters are believed to be from Insulate Britain, who have been causing traffic chaos on the M25 this week.

Officers arrived on scene at 10.47am and the road was cleared by 11.05am.

Eleven people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

“We are also investigating suspected criminal damage to the road where attempts have been made to write on it with paint,” Assistant Chief Constable Genna Telfer said.

Insulate Britain protests have been taking place across the M25 this week, two of which took place near Watford.

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Traffic was brought to a standstill as campaigners sat in front of vehicles refusing to move.

Insulate Britain has been contacted over the protest on the M1.

Speaking about the protest, Chief Constable Telfer said: “Officers arrived on scene at 10.47am and immediately worked to clear the motorway to ensure the safety of all road users.

“The road was cleared by 11.05am and after a short disruption, traffic in the area has been returning to normal. We would like to thank motorists for their patience while officers dealt with the matter.”

She added: “We are working with our partners and neighbouring police forces around the whole of the M25 to ensure that the police response is co-ordinated to these recent protests which have been spontaneous in nature.

“While we are unable to predict where or when they will take place, please be reassured that we will attend and remove individuals as quickly as possible. Safety of all road users is paramount.”

Home Secretary Priti Patel is said to have called on police to crack down on the protests.

Ms Patel had already criticised the “selfish” protesters after they stopped thousands of motorists at four junctions on Britain’s busiest motorway on Wednesday for the second time in three days.

She added: “This Government will not stand by and allow a small minority of selfish protesters to cause significant disruption to the lives and livelihoods of the hard-working majority.”