Protester Arrested Just Hours After Government Propose New Rules To Speed Up Fracking

A fracking protester was arrested in Beverley yesterday after taking to the streets of the town centre and performing a series of ‘Anti fracking’ songs.

Darren Nesbit who is from Lancashire and here in Beverley to raise public awareness about the exploration of Shale Gas was taken to Bridlington police station but later released.

In a statement issued by HEY Frack Off, a group who is opposed to fracking in Hull & East Yorkshire said;

“The man was stood on a bench on Toll Gavel, playing an acoustic guitar and entertaining shoppers by singing anti fracking versions of popular songs.

“Between songs he was explaining the issue of the controversial method of extreme gas extraction. He was suddenly arrested. We believe under Section 35 Public Order Act.”

Local Green Party member Shan Oakes, who witnessed the arrest in Beverley commented;

“The police turned up and caused a disturbance and tried to find people who would make complaints about the music.”

“Beverley usually has musicians playing. The police had several vans, and everyone was asking why there were there, what a waste of public money!”

Shan’s view of events that unfolded were not shared by everyone in the Town centre on Saturday, one commented;

“Walking through Beverley with my 12-year-old today I felt very intimidated by these people. The language was disgusting. I have lived in Beverley all my life and did not recognise anybody local.

“I Feel sorry for the police who have to deal with these nutters when they could be doing what they should be!! Instead, they have been insulted for doing their job. It’s disgusting.”

Hydraulic Mining, or fracking as it is more commonly known is widely opposed the world over. This type of mining has been blamed for the causing wide-spread pollution in America and Australia with fears that the UK’s water supply could be poisoned if oil companies are allowed to frack on our shores.

Fracking is a process used to extract natural gas from deep inside the Earth by drilling a well and pumping water, sand and chemicals into the well. This then opens the fractured shale and uses fine particles of sand to hold open the rocks which releases the trapped Shale Gas.

Banned in France, Germany and some sates in the USA fracking is set to happen here in the UK and is firmly backed by the government. Prime Minster David Cameron has already declared fracking is the way ahead and the solution to the UK’s energy crisis.

The arrest in Beverley comes just hours after the government proposed new rules regarding land access that would speed up the introduction of fracking in the UK.

Energy Minister Michael Fallo said of the proposed rules:

“Britain needs more home-grown energy. Shale development will bring jobs and business opportunities.”

“We are keen for shale and geothermal exploration to go ahead while protecting residents through the robust regulation that is in place.”

“These proposals allow shale and geothermal development while offering a fair deal for communities in return for underground access at depths so deep they will have no negative impact on landowners.”

Protesters are currently camped out in Walkington up on the edge of Beverley as they look to bring more attention to the site where a well has been drilled by Rathlin Energy UK.

Rathlin have repeatedly stated they have not and no intention of fracking in Walkington. To date, there have been three arrests since the arrival of the protesters and one of the protesters was injured after being hit by a large piece of plant at the entrance to the site.

There is still a lack of understanding from the public about what fracking is and the damage it has caused where mining has taken place for shale gas which is something many different groups and members of the community want addressing.

The Green Party say they have made repeated requests to East Riding of Yorkshire Council to meet with them and discuss the issue of the fracking for natural gas in the county, but say they requests have gone unheard.

With the promise of cash windfalls for local authorities up and down the country it seems the economic benefits may be too difficult to resist for cash strapped councils who already making to make cuts to public services.