EIGHT Youth Demand supporters were arrested after more than 70 protesters blocked four major roads in central London on Saturday.

The group has said it will “shut down” the capital with a series of protests this month.

It is calling for a total trade embargo on Israel and for the super-rich and fossil-fuel elite to pay damages to communities and countries  most harmed by the burning of fossil fuels.

On Saturday dozens of supporters staged “open swarming” protests at Russell Square, Elephant & Castle, Hyde Park Corner and Vauxhall Bridge.

A Youth Demand spokesperson said: “We’ve tried the marches, petitions and rallies for over a year-and-a-half now. It hasn’t worked.

“The government only cares about disruption. That’s why we are shutting London down day after day.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “While we absolutely recognise the importance of the right to protest, we have a responsibility to intervene to prevent activity that crosses the line from protest into serious disruption and other criminality.“