Anti-fracking protesters chain themselves to barrels in bid to stop test-drilling

PROTESTERS STEPPED up demonstrations yesterday at a proposed fracking site in North Yorkshire as they chained themselves to concrete barrels and lay in the road.

Police were called to the scene in Kirby Misperton, where campaigners locked their arms into barrels made of concrete and metal, at about 10am. They told officers they would continue to lay in the road for “at least 24 hours”, at the Habton Road site.

Fracking is the controversial method of drilling for shale gas and oil. The latest move came after four people were charged over protests designed to stop company Third Energy’s lorries and specialist equipment entering the fracking site in the village, ahead of test-drilling starting later this year.

Superintendent Alisdair Dey, of North Yorkshire Police, warned of the fine balance between “peaceful protest” to deliberate and unlawful disruption of others.

Supt Dey said: “Our core tactic is to engage with people on all sides of the issue, and ask them to work with us to make this a safe and peaceful protest.

“However, once the balance has tipped from peaceful protest to deliberate acts that are unlawful and cause unreasonable disruption to others, including companies going about their lawful business, then we need to take action.

“Whilst we would always wish to negotiate, specialist police teams are on site assessing the situation.”

Police liaison officers were also called to the scene yesterday, to ensure protesters were safe and well.

Habton Road remained open throughout the morning and into the afternoon, but officers warned road users that delays were likely.

North Yorkshire Police last week said officers had arrested seven people over two days as campaigners attempted to prevent specialist equipment getting on to the site of the planned testfracking site in Kirby Misperton.