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16 anti-fracking protesters held at West Sussex drill site

16 anti-fracking protesters held at West Sussex drill site

Sixteen anti-fracking activists, including two teenagers, have been arrested by the British police as they attempted to block the delivery of machinery to a drilling site in West Sussex.

Sussex police made the arrests over variety of offences in relation to ongoing protests against plans by the fracking company Cuadrilla to explore for oil and gas 40 miles (64km) from London, which started on Thursday morning.

The arrests were reported after the campaigners blocked a truck from entering the site in the village of Balcombe by using a human chain and tree trunks.

Five activists were held for causing a danger to road users, while 11 others were arrested under the Trade Union Labour Relations Act, for attempts to halt the drilling operation, police said.

“The community is standing up for themselves against a company that is trying to poison them,” said Ashley Williams, one of the protesters.

“As soon as regular people put their head above the parapet the state jumps in to defend the interests of a wealthy few.”

Fracking, which is a technique to produce gas and oil, could cause serious risks of earthquake and water pollution.

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