Anarchists from Europe join the fray

ANARCHISTS from across Europe have joined the protests in Balcombe.

The groups from Spain, France, Holland and Poland were alerted to the ‘cause’ by protest websites and freely admit they know little about the arguments for and against fracking.

Police say the village has turned into a ‘free festival’ for professional protesters who are treating the stand-off as a ‘tourist attraction’.

Camper vans, cars and tents – some of which have fully stocked kitchens – line the grass verges for almost a mile outside the West Sussex site. One man from Malaga said he arrived in Balcombe on Sunday after he heard about ‘direct action’ methods being used. ‘I was in London and going back to Europe when I heard about this,’ he said. ‘I’ve only recently learnt about fracking, but thought this would be fun.

‘I have taken parts in protests in Spain, Germany and even Egypt and enjoy the atmosphere. I support power to the people.’

A group of French squatters, who had been living in a derelict house in Islington, North London, before being thrown out last week, had also set up camp on the grass verge. ‘The weather is really good and everyone is friendly. We’re reading more about fracking and it sounds really bad.’

Dozens of day-trippers from London and Brighton arrived from the village’s railway station during the morning yesterday, but the main protest camp reduced from around 1,200 at the weekend to 700.

Many of the protesters admit to being part of Occupy that set up an illegal camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral and others are veterans of the Dale Farm travellers camp that was cleared.

One police officer said: ‘The protesters are very organised and I’ve seen a Dutch group and even a female Polish meditator carrying out classes.’