A photographer from Hackney said he was held in police custody for around 13 hours after being arrested while reporting on a Just Stop Oil protest.

Tom Bowles had been capturing the activists on a footbridge over the M25 near Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, at around 11am on Monday (November 7) when he was handcuffed.

Also taken into police custody while capturing protest footage at the same time was Rich Felgate, who is making a documentary on Just Stop Oil.

READ MORE: Just Stop Oil protests causes M25 traffic disruption despite police operation

The pair deny having any affiliation with Just Stop Oil. They said they had their equipment seized and were taken to a police station, despite their efforts to show their press cards.

Mr Bowles said he was held until 1.30am, hours after his wife and 14-year-old daughter were woken up as three officers searched their home.

He said: "As a photographer, I've covered hundreds of protests and I've never been along as a protestor - it's not my cup of tea. I photograph them and that's it.

"I feel pretty cross. I'm aware of the police and how they interact with people and they generally do a pretty good job, but yesterday was absolutely shocking.

"I've not photographed an arrest that's as bad as the ones that me and Rich went through.

"I said 'good morning officer' as he walked to me and he grabbed my arm, pulled me away, told me to secure my camera, told me he was arresting me and put handcuffs on me straight away.

"I'm not a big bloke, I'm not a fighter, but he held me and put handcuffs on while I was still holding my camera, so it was all very quick and very unnecessary."

Police said five people were arrested after protestors attempted to climb overhead gantries at various junctions.

The British Press Photographers' Association (BPPA) said it "strongly condemns" the arrests.

It added: "News gatherers should be able to operate freely without fear of arrest."

Hertfordshire Police said: "In line with standard policing practice, we would not name or confirm the identity of anyone who has been arrested or anyone suspected of a crime other than in exceptional circumstances.

"We can confirm that three people who were arrested in connection with the protest activity yesterday have been released with no further action."

For the latest crime news in East London, join our East London Crime Watch group on Facebook