Police officers posted to monitor are having rest days cancelled and working 12-hour shifts, an inspector has claimed.
West Yorkshire Police Inspector David Harland has urged the public to 'be good to them' and said police manning the protests in cities across the UK should be recovering from their normal shifts.
Protesters closed Victoria Bridge and Neville Street in Leeds city centre early on Monday morning and plan to continue their demonstration until Friday.
Extinction Rebellion are demanding government action on climate change, with similar protests in Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, and London.
Protesters in each city are unveiling a large coloured boat, each named after an environmental activist, with the message "Act Now" on it.
In a tweet, Insp Harland said the police manning the protests weren't 'extra'.
He said: "The ‘extra Officers’ on the streets, working in Leeds & other cities for the Extinction Rebellion protests aren’t “extra”, most have had their Rest Days cancelled to work 12hr shifts.
"Remember that, be good to them; they should be resting & recovering from their normal shift."
The protest in Leeds city centre has caused major disruption for motorists and commuters with bus services diverted and activists camping overnight at the site.
Follow from the Extinction Rebellion demo .
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