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Twelve charged over West Sussex anti-fracking protests Twelve charged over West Sussex anti-fracking protests
(2 months later)
A dozen people, including two teenage boys, have been charged in connection with anti-fracking protests, police have said.A dozen people, including two teenage boys, have been charged in connection with anti-fracking protests, police have said.
Those charged were among 16 people arrested on Friday at an exploratory operation set up by Cuadrilla near the village of Balcombe in Sussex.Those charged were among 16 people arrested on Friday at an exploratory operation set up by Cuadrilla near the village of Balcombe in Sussex.
Officers also arrested another two people on Saturday morning. Two women were detained, one for assault and the other under the Trade Union Labour Relations Act.Officers also arrested another two people on Saturday morning. Two women were detained, one for assault and the other under the Trade Union Labour Relations Act.
The charges came as protesters gathered for a third day in the village where Cuadrilla is poised to start test-drilling in its first UK venture outside Lancashire.The charges came as protesters gathered for a third day in the village where Cuadrilla is poised to start test-drilling in its first UK venture outside Lancashire.
The village has become a focal point for campaigners who have highlighted fears linked to fracking – where high-pressure liquid is pumped into cracks in the rock to split shale rock and release gas.The village has become a focal point for campaigners who have highlighted fears linked to fracking – where high-pressure liquid is pumped into cracks in the rock to split shale rock and release gas.
None of those charged lives in the village. They have all been dealt with under Section 241 of the Trade Union Labour Relations Act for attempting to stop drivers and other workers from accessing the site.None of those charged lives in the village. They have all been dealt with under Section 241 of the Trade Union Labour Relations Act for attempting to stop drivers and other workers from accessing the site.
Superintendent Steve Whitton from Sussex police said: "Protesters are being asked to clear entrances to allow access to the site and where they have refused following repeated requests we have arrested them."Superintendent Steve Whitton from Sussex police said: "Protesters are being asked to clear entrances to allow access to the site and where they have refused following repeated requests we have arrested them."
Those charged include Ezra Lynch, 31, a circus employee, Samantha Duncan, 29, from Brighton, and Marcin Swiercz, 35, a handyman from London. They will appear before Crawley magistrates on 14 August along with Mark Mansbridge, 51, a voluntary charity worker from Lewes, Nancy Walker, 25, from Brighton, Richard Millar, 29, also from Brighton, Frances Crack, 31, a teacher from Cardiff, and Justin Preece of Pontypridd.Those charged include Ezra Lynch, 31, a circus employee, Samantha Duncan, 29, from Brighton, and Marcin Swiercz, 35, a handyman from London. They will appear before Crawley magistrates on 14 August along with Mark Mansbridge, 51, a voluntary charity worker from Lewes, Nancy Walker, 25, from Brighton, Richard Millar, 29, also from Brighton, Frances Crack, 31, a teacher from Cardiff, and Justin Preece of Pontypridd.
A 15-year-old boy from West Sussex, and a 17-year-old boy from Brighton have also been charged and will appear before Crawley youth court on 6 August. Paul Deacon, a writer, 50, from Worthing, West Sussex, will appear before Crawley magistrates on 7 August.A 15-year-old boy from West Sussex, and a 17-year-old boy from Brighton have also been charged and will appear before Crawley youth court on 6 August. Paul Deacon, a writer, 50, from Worthing, West Sussex, will appear before Crawley magistrates on 7 August.
In addition to being charged under the Trade Union Labour Relations Act, Michael Atkins, 37, of Westbury, Wiltshire, has also been charged with assault on police and he will also appear before Crawley magistrates on 14 August.In addition to being charged under the Trade Union Labour Relations Act, Michael Atkins, 37, of Westbury, Wiltshire, has also been charged with assault on police and he will also appear before Crawley magistrates on 14 August.
A 56-year-old man from Lewes has been cautioned. A 52-year-old man from Lewes has been given police bail until 12 August in relation to causing danger to road users and for attempting to stop drivers and other workers from accessing the site.A 56-year-old man from Lewes has been cautioned. A 52-year-old man from Lewes has been given police bail until 12 August in relation to causing danger to road users and for attempting to stop drivers and other workers from accessing the site.
Some activists, who are concerned about the use of chemicals in fracking, described the police response as "disproportionate".Some activists, who are concerned about the use of chemicals in fracking, described the police response as "disproportionate".
Cuadrilla has said it intends only to conduct exploratory drilling in a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing.Cuadrilla has said it intends only to conduct exploratory drilling in a temporary operation that will not include hydraulic fracturing.
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