Police from across the UK drafted in to patrol 24 hour protests at Lancashire Fracking site

Lancashire Police say they're now going to be at the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Published 10th Jul 2017

Lancashire police are bringing in extra officers from other forces as they step up their presence at the Fracking site near Blackpool.

Police say they'll be at Preston New Road 24 hours a day / 7 days a week - due to increased activity from protesters.

At least 60 officers have been at the site during the day since daily protests began at the future shale gas drilling site in January.

Environmental group Reclaim The Power announced a month of action at the start of July which has seen an increased number of campaigners demonstrating at the site.

Lancashire Police say they need to increase the police presence at the site for the safety of campaigners and workers for Cuadrilla - who are the company who want to explore for shale gas at the site.

Here's the statement from Lancashire Police:

"A decision has been made to move to 24/7 coverage of policing the fracking site on Preston New Road for the coming days. This is due to increased protester activity at the site over the last week and is to ensure the safety of protestors, Cuadrilla staff and members of the public,

"Due to the need for extra resources, a number of other forces will be providing mutual aid throughout July and August. We will have an additional sergeant and six PCs from mutual aid which will help to ensure that resilience is retained within Lancashire whilst also providing an appropriate policing response to the fracking site."

Anti-fracking campaigners argue they are "being over-policed" and it's obstructing their right to peacefully protest.