Brawls and arrests as climate activists Extinction Rebellion disrupt London trains

London police say they've made arrests as climate change protesters disrupt morning train services in the city's east, complete with wild brawls on platforms.

Extinction Rebellion protesters on the roof of an underground train surrounded by angry commuters at Canning Town station in east London. Source: Press Association

Climate change activists from the controversial Extinction Rebellion group have disrupted rail services in the east of London, sparking a physical confrontation between angry morning commuters and a protester who had climbed onto the roof of a London Underground train.

Extinction Rebellion protesters on the roof of an underground train surrounded by angry commuters at Canning Town station in east London. Source: Press Association

Video posted to social media shows the wild scenes, including the ugly confrontation between commuters and the protester, compete with pushing and shoving and wild punches.

"Extinction rebellion protestors cause disruption to Jubilee line this morning. They were met with an angry response," London-based journalist Mahatir Pasha tweeted.

Angry commuters and protesters clashed during the protest, which brought transport to a standstill. Source: Press Association

Footage also showed protesters unfurling an Extinction Rebellion protest group banner on top of a stationary London Underground train at Canning Town before one was pelted with food and physically dragged off by commuters.

British Transport Police said it responded to incidents at Shadwell, Stratford and Canning Town, near to London's Canary Wharf financial district early on Thursday.

"Arrests have already been made and officers are working to quickly resume services," police said in a statement.

Extinction Rebellion launched a wave of civil disobedience on 7 October to highlight the risks posed by climate change and the accelerating loss of plant and animal species.

Earlier, London police said officers had arrested 1642 people since the mass protested started.

Activists with the Extinction Rebellion movement demonstrate in London earlier this week. Source: Getty images

Earlier this week, activists from the environmental pressure group defiantly vowed to continue their planned two-week campaign of demonstrations in central London - despite a police ban.

The group announced it would press ahead with a protest at the Department of Transport, calling for it to "stop funding destructive projects immediately... and explain their plan to meet net-zero emissions".

The move comes after police on Monday evening outlawed activists from assembling in a designated site in Trafalgar Square after a week of disruption. 

 In Australia, dozens of people were arrested earlier this month as part of Extinction Rebellion-run protests.

In Sydney, organisers said some 30 people were arrested, including four girls aged under 16.