Two women have been charged with criminal damage and other offences after Just Stop Oil activists sprayed private jets with orange paint at Stansted Airport. Jennifer Kowalski, 28, and Cole Macdonald, 22, are both set to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

The charges stem from an incident early Thursday morning in which Kowalski and Macdonald allegedly caused over £5,000 worth of damage. Essex Police reported that their officers responded to an incident in the private area of an airfield at Stansted Airport at around 5am.

A statement from the force detailed that police were called to reports of two individuals gaining access to an area away from the runway and main passenger terminal “before causing damage to two aircraft”. The prompt response led to the arrest of the suspects “within nine minutes” of the call being made, according to the police.

The action appears to be part of ongoing protests by Just Stop Oil, a group known for its direct action tactics aimed at drawing attention to climate change and the fossil fuel industry’s impact on the environment. The group has previously engaged in high-profile stunts to disrupt activities and highlight their cause.

The incident has sparked discussions on both the effectiveness and legality of such protest methods, with some applauding the activists’ commitment to climate action, while others criticize the disruptive and often destructive nature of their tactics.

This development comes as high-profile events continue to draw public interest, including Taylor Swift’s London Eras Tour shows at Wembley Stadium and Sabrina Carpenter’s recent chart success in the UK. However, the actions of Just Stop Oil activists have managed to capture significant media attention, further fueling the debate on climate activism and the balance between protest and criminal activity.

Further details are expected to emerge as Kowalski and Macdonald face the magistrates on Saturday.