Calls for ‘vigilance’ after Just Stop Oil targets National Gallery

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested after using hammers to break the glass protecting a painting in the National Gallery.

The piece of work, by 17th Century artist Diego Velázquez, had previously been targeted by the Suffragettes in 1914 when Mary Richardson slashed it with a knife to “destroy the picture of the most beautiful woman in mythological history”.

In the moments after today's attack, one protestor said: "Women did not get the vote by voting. It is time for deeds and not words it is time to just stop oil.

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The other protestor said: "Politics is failing us. It failed women in 1914, and it is failing us now. New oil and gas licences will kill millions. If we love history, if we love art and if we love our families, we must just stop oil."

The Metropolitan Police said activists had been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

Museums and galleries are being encouraged to be ‘vigilant’ following the attack,

In response, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical has urged cultural organisations to take proactive steps in protecting artwork and exhibits from further attacks.

The measures outlined include restricting visitor numbers by only allowing a maximum number of people in an area at any one time and introducing arrangements for visitor bags to be deposited at entry.

It also suggests training staff and volunteers to recognise unusual activity, such as completing reconnaissance visits and introducing a behaviour code.

Faith Kitchen, Customer Segment Director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “These types of attacks put irreplaceable artworks at risk of significant damage. There are a number of measures galleries can take to help protect art from attacks by protestors. We urge galleries to be vigilant and review their security arrangements.”