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Sussex Police arrest Balcombe oil drill protesters Sussex Police arrest Balcombe oil drill protesters
(35 minutes later)
Some protesters stopping lorries at a site where exploratory oil drilling is to start have been arrested. Fourteen protesters have been arrested by police at the site of an exploratory oil drilling operation in West Sussex.
Up to 10 arrests were made and the main gate has been cleared at the site near Balcombe, West Sussex. It was the second day campaigners had blockaded the site outside the village of Balcombe.
Cuadrilla has been given permission to drill a 3,000ft (914m) well and 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore. Cuadrilla has been given permission to drill test wells and is expected to start operations on Saturday.
Campaigners fear the firm could also carry out hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Cuadrilla said any further activity would need fresh permission. Protesters fear the firm could also carry out hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. Cuadrilla said any further activity would need fresh permission.
About 75 police officers were involved in the operation to make arrests on Friday, BBC reporter Mark Sanders said.About 75 police officers were involved in the operation to make arrests on Friday, BBC reporter Mark Sanders said.
The blockade started on Thursday with about 100 protesters at the site.The blockade started on Thursday with about 100 protesters at the site.
Protester Natalie Hynde said about 25 people formed a chain through the night. One of them, Natalie Hynde, said about 25 people formed a chain through the night.
'Very British' 'Wealthy few'
Ms Hynde said the protesters, who were mainly from outside the village, had received "overwhelming support" from local people. Sussex Police said on Friday that five people had been held for allegedly causing a danger to road users, and nine for trying to stop drivers and other workers accessing the site.
She said 82% of local people opposed the test drilling. A police spokesman said some protesters had moved a tree across the entrance to the site, blocking access, but all arrests were made peacefully.
She alleged any fracking that went ahead in the area would affect future generations because it would pollute the water table. Some activists criticised the police response as "disproportionate".
Asked if the protesters were using scare tactics to shock local people, she said: "I think people need to be shocked." Ashley Williams, said: "The community are standing up for themselves against a company that is trying to poison them.
Earlier on Friday, BBC Sussex reporter Simon Jenkins said the protest appeared to be a "very British stand-off" and the site felt like a little village. "As soon as regular people put their head above the parapet the state jumps in to defend the interests of a wealthy few."
Cuadrilla obtained a waste permit from the Environment Agency on Tuesday - the final regulatory approval it needed to carry out work to the south of Balcombe. Police said the arrests were made to "ensure public safety" and came after talks between activists and protest liaison officers failed.
It has repeatedly stated that it only has permission to carry out exploratory drilling at Balcombe, not hydraulic fracturing. Supt Steve Whitton said: "Sussex Police fully supports the right to demonstrate peacefully and within the law and also facilitate the contractors to carry out their business.
'Vast majority peaceful' "Our aim is to provide a safe and secure environment for protesters, residents and the contractors, to minimise disruption to the community and to prevent crime and disorder."
A spokesman for the firm added: "The safety of everyone on and near the Balcombe site remains Cuadrilla's priority. Cuadrilla has permission to drill a 3,000ft (914m) well and 2,500ft (762m) horizontal bore at the site.
"To date, the vast majority of the protesters have been peaceful and good natured. We are disappointed by the actions of a minority of the protesters. The firm said obstacles blocking the road had been removed and delivery of equipment had resumed. It hopes to start drilling "as soon as is reasonably possible".
"The police have taken the action they feel is appropriate, which has resulted in some arrests. The obstacles blocking the road have been removed and delivery of the equipment has now resumed. It said in a statement: "To date, the vast majority of the protesters have been peaceful and good natured.
"Cuadrilla has followed all legal and regulatory procedures concerning its exploratory drilling plans and obtained the necessary approvals from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and West Sussex County Council. "We are disappointed by the actions of a minority of the protesters.
"Cuadrilla remains committed to undertaking the approved activity as soon as is reasonably possible." "Cuadrilla has followed all legal and regulatory procedures concerning its exploratory drilling plans and obtained the necessary approvals from the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and West Sussex County Council."
On Thursday, protesters blocked a lorry trying to enter the site. Cuadrilla has said it intends only to conduct exploratory drilling in a temporary operation which will not include hydraulic fracturing.
The vehicle had its brake lines cut during the demonstration, Sussex Police said.
Officers said the truck was quickly repaired without "interference from any demonstrators".
West Sussex County Council granted Cuadrilla planning permission to undertake exploration work in 2010.