BALCOMBE, England, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Police in West Sussex in England said they arrested demonstrators protesting against Cuadrilla Resources for disturbing public order.
West Sussex police this week said they would limit protesters in the village of Balcombe to an area away from the work location of Cuadrilla Resources.
Cuadrilla is drilling an exploratory oil well in Balcombe. Protesters, occupying the site for several weeks, said they fear it would lead to hydraulic fracturing, a controversial practice called fracking. Cuadrilla said it would need additional permits for a fracking operation.
"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," West Sussex Chief Superintendent Paul Morrison said in a statement Tuesday. "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."
No Dash for Gas, an advocacy group coordinating some of the protests, said last week it planned a soccer match in front of Cuadrilla's gates Wednesday. There were no updates since the police order was issued.
Morrison said more than 100 demonstrators had been arrested since protests began in July.
