Two Norfolk climate activists are among protesters who caused almost £100,000-worth of damage after smashing glass windows at the headquarters of Barclays bank, a court has heard.

Gabby Ditton, 28, from Norwich, and Niki Stickells, 52, from Harleston, are among seven women standing trial accused of causing criminal damage during the direct action demo.

Norwich Evening News: The seven women from Extinction Rebellion sit down in front of Barclays HQ immediately following the actionThe seven women from Extinction Rebellion sit down in front of Barclays HQ immediately following the action (Image: Gareth Morris))

Jurors at Southwark Crown Court heard on Friday that the women’s actions were associated with climate change campaign group Extinction Rebellion (XR).

The seven women are said to have travelled to the building at Canary Wharf in London at around 7am on April 7, 2021.

They spread out along the front of the building before using chisels and hammers to break the large glass panels that made up the exterior of the bank, the court heard.

Jurors were told the group also stuck leaflets on the windows that said “In case of climate emergency, break glass”.

The women then sat in a line on the street as members of the press videoed and photographed them, jurors heard.

Norwich Evening News: Photo issued by Extinction Rebellion of their protest at Barclays, where they used hammers and chisels to break windowsPhoto issued by Extinction Rebellion of their protest at Barclays, where they used hammers and chisels to break windows (Image: PA)

Police attended the scene and arrested them on suspicion of criminal damage.

Prosecutor Diana Wilson said: “It is clear they went to the building with the common purpose of committing criminal damage.”

CCTV of the incident was played in court.

Jurors watched footage of windows being smashed at the bank by protesters, with signs on their backs that read “Better broken windows than broken promises”.

The footage also showed the word “LOVE” penned in marker on one of the hammers.

Barclays security guard Gary Roper told the court in a witness statement that he radioed the control room after first spotting the group, as he thought their behaviour was “suspicious”.

Norwich Evening News: Smashed window following protest at Barclays in Canary WharfSmashed window following protest at Barclays in Canary Wharf (Image: PA)

He said that one female told him after the incident: “It’s not against you, Gary. It’s against the bank. Sorry.”

The seven women, who include others from Leeds, Dorchester, Swansea and London, have pleaded not guilty to criminal damage.

All the defendants, apart from Stickells and a woman from Swansea, are representing themselves in the case.

The trial continues.