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Balcombe oil: Fracking protesters glue themselves together Balcombe oil: Fracking protesters glue themselves together
(about 1 hour later)
Two people opposed to exploratory drilling for oil at a site in West Sussex have glued themselves together as protests enter a seventh day. Two people opposed to exploratory drilling for oil near Balcombe in West Sussex glued their hands together as protests entered a seventh day.
Protesters fear the works near the village of Balcombe could lead to fracking, the process of extracting shale gas from deep underground. Natalie Hynde, daughter of Pretenders star Chrissie Hynde, and eco-protester Simon "Sitting Bull" Medhurst formed a "human lock" by the site entrance gate.
They were freed within a couple of hours and led into police vans.
Protesters fear the works could lead to fracking, the process of extracting shale gas from deep underground.
Their action has delayed energy firm Cuadrilla's plans to start drilling at the woodland site.Their action has delayed energy firm Cuadrilla's plans to start drilling at the woodland site.
Chief executive Francis Egan said it would not pose a threat to Balcombe. Chief executive Francis Egan said it would not pose a threat to the village of Balcombe.
'No threat''No threat'
"We've no intention of ruining the countryside and we won't ruin the countryside," he said."We've no intention of ruining the countryside and we won't ruin the countryside," he said.
Mr Egan said the process would take about a couple of months and involve a six-inch hole in the ground, which he described as "not a major engineering activity".Mr Egan said the process would take about a couple of months and involve a six-inch hole in the ground, which he described as "not a major engineering activity".
A total of 23 protesters have been arrested by Sussex Police in the last week.A total of 23 protesters have been arrested by Sussex Police in the last week.
Campaigners at the site, who also fear the tests will lead to a large increase in the number of lorries in the area, have also included human rights activist Bianca Jagger.
Kathryn McWhirter, from the No Fracking in Balcombe Society (NoFiBS), said local residents welcomed the support of protesters from outside the area.
'Misguided policy'
"We in Balcombe feel bullied. Bullied by the oil and gas industry. Bullied by our government.
"We stand strong in the fight against this dangerous and misguided government policy," she said.
On Tuesday, Supt Lawrence Hobbs said the protest had been peaceful and several vehicles had entered the site.On Tuesday, Supt Lawrence Hobbs said the protest had been peaceful and several vehicles had entered the site.
'Policing objectives'
"It is clear that this protest looks like it may be going on for some weeks so we are moving from an initial response to preparing resources required from now."It is clear that this protest looks like it may be going on for some weeks so we are moving from an initial response to preparing resources required from now.
"We look to resource it at the lowest level that will be necessary to achieve the aims of the policing objectives," he said."We look to resource it at the lowest level that will be necessary to achieve the aims of the policing objectives," he said.
Supt Hobbs said the force was "mindful that the protest is having an impact on the local community".Supt Hobbs said the force was "mindful that the protest is having an impact on the local community".
Protesters at the site, who also fear the tests will lead to a large increase in the number of lorries in the area, have included human rights activist Bianca Jagger and Natalie Hynde, daughter of the Kinks' Ray Davies and the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde. Peaceful protest
Cuadrilla would need fresh permission to carry shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Cuadrilla would need fresh permission from the Environment Agency to carry out shale gas exploration using hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
Campaigners fear this would then lead to potential water contamination and environmental damage.
Mr Egan said he accepted the right to protest, but that it raised a wider issue about the willingness to exploit the UK's natural resources.
He said: "We have certainly been delayed.
"There are a lot of protesters, we have no issue with peaceful protest in Balcombe, we respect people's rights to do that.
"I think the wider argument is, frankly, is the UK capable of developing its own natural resources or not?"