Brighton man among six people arrested in Balcombe

A 45-year-old man from Brighton was among six people arrested at the anti-fracking protest in Balcombe today (Tuesday 10 September).

He was arrested on suspicion of intimidation or annoyance by violence or otherwise in breach of section 241 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act.

He was also held on suspicion of obstructing police.

Sussex Police said that the total number of arrests had now topped 100 outside the test drilling site being operated by the fracking firm Cuadrilla.

Two other men were arrested on suspicion of intimidation or annoyance – one of them had locked himself to a caravan, blocking London Road in Balcombe.

The 26-year-old man, who gave no address, had to be released by specialist protest removal officers.

Protesters had pulled the van across the road at about 1.45pm, blocking the road for about 75 minutes.

The other was a 24-year-old man from Southampton.

A 34-year-old villager from Balcombe was arrested on suspicion of breaching the notice issued under the Public Order Act 1986 that came into force at 9am today (Tuesday 10 September).

The notice, known as a section 14 notice, provides an assembly area where peaceful static protests may take place.

Another man, a 29-year-old from Leicestershire, was held on suspicion of breaching the same notice.

A 46-year-old man, who gave no address, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer as a lorry arrived at the drilling site.

Chief Superintendent Paul Morrison, from Sussex Police, said: “We have provided an area where protesters can clearly see and be seen to be carrying out their legitimate right to peaceful protest opposite the entrance to the drilling site.

“While they do this we are quite happy to facilitate their protest but the criminal activities of some are having a significant impact on the local community and this is not acceptable.

“We have again seen a number of arrests, bringing the total to more than 100 since the protest began in July.

“Ours is a very simple message: exercise your legitimate right to lawful protest but please refrain from activities that are going to bring you to the attention of police.

“If you choose to break the law, then you face arrest and it is up to you to consider the consequences of that.”