Don’t “gold-plate” human rights when dealing with protest camps – ministers
The government has instructed local councils and the police to do more to stop protest camps, including those against oil and gas operations.
Balcombe anti-fracking campaigner overturns obstruction conviction
An environmental campaigner has won his legal challenge against conviction for obstruction at the Balcombe anti-fracking protests over a year ago.
Police reflect on Balcombe protest one year on
Police liaison officer denies his team collected intelligence on campaigners In the final interview of our series Balcombe One Year On, Sergeant Mark Redbourn, a Police Liaison Officer with Sussex Police, looks back on the highs and lows of the anti-fracking protests outside Cuadrilla’s oil exploration site. During […]
Police held Balcombe campaigner in headlock – court hears
An environmental campaigner described this morning (23/1/14) how a police officer held him in a headlock during a struggle at the anti-fracking protests at Balcombe. Zachary Hewitt was giving evidence at his trial at Brighton Magistrates Court. Mr Hewitt, 23, of Bexhill-on-sea, is accused along with another campaigner, […]
Police officer punched by anti-fracking demonstrator – court told
A police officer monitoring the crowds at last summer’s Balcombe anti-fracking protests told a court this afternoon (22/1/14) how he was punched in the chest by a young woman demonstrator. PC Mario Ciaramella, usually based at Worthing Police Station, was giving evidence at the trial of three environmental […]
Balcombe protest campaigner arrested without warning
The police gave no warning when they made their first arrest at the Balcombe anti-fracking protest, the trial of eleven campaigners heard this afternoon (8/1/14). Countryside management student Samantha Duncan told Brighton Magistrates Court she was taking part in the protest on its second day, July 26th last […]
Natalie Hynde anti-fracking protest trial adjourned
The anti-fracking trial involving Natalie Hynde, daughter of the Pretender’s singer Chrissie Hynde, and Ray Davies, of The Kinks, was adjourned today without any evidence being heard. Ms Hynde denies trespassing on railway property at Balcombe on August 18th during protests against Cuadrilla’s exploration site near the village. […]
Council urges Balcombe anti-fracking campaigners “go home”
West Sussex County Council confirms it is asking the remaining anti-fracking campaigners outside Cuadrila’s Balcombe site to go home. The designated protest area established outside the site last month has been removed. The council says it wants to reinstate the protest area because it is concerned about the […]
Get the fracking message clear
Government, operators and regulators must put across a clear message about fracking following the protest at Balcombe, the leading lobbyist for the energy supply industry said today (September 19th 2013). Michael Lunn, of the Environmental Industries Commission, said the government and the Environment Agency had “completely mismanaged” the […]
Welcome to Investigating Balcombe and Cuadrilla
This new blog has independent coverage of the exploration for oil and gas by Cuadrilla at Lower Stumble, Balcombe, West Sussex and the campaign against it. It seeks answers to questions and question the answers given by all sides on the issue of fracking. Later this week a comprehensive […]
DRILL OR DROP? 