Monday, 18 June 2012

Frack Off protesters blockade drilling rig

Joe Reid 
 
 Joe Reid has D-locked herself to a gate by her neck
 
Twenty protesters who oppose the controversial fracking method of natural gas extraction are blockading a drilling rig in Derbyshire.

The group Frack Off says it wants to prevent the rig moving from storage to a frack site in Lancashire.
Four of the protesters have reportedly locked themselves by their necks to gates, to prevent the gates being opened.

PR Marriott, which owns the Derbyshire site, was not available for comment.

Joe Reid, 22, one of the protesters who have locked themselves to the gates, claimed "corporate greed" was being prioritised "over the interests of people and eco-systems while pretending to care about them".

The demonstrators said they have been on the site in Danesmoor, near Chesterfield, since 04:45 BST.

Derbyshire Constabulary said officers are monitoring the protesters after a member of staff at the firm called them at 05:20 BST.

'Peaceful protest'
  Frack Off believes the rig, owned by Cuadrilla Resources, is due to be moved to Lancashire within the next few days.

Group spokesman Ben Johns said: "We are doing it now to prevent it being moved to Lancashire.

"We may not prevent it being done in the medium-term but every day it's not moving is another day it's not being fracked."

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said: "This is a peaceful protest which is not blocking access to other premises.

"Officers are talking to the protesters and will remain at the scene until the protest is over."
 

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