CAMPAIGNERS have taken part in 10 slow walk protests at a North Yorkshire fracking site this week.

North Yorkshire Police facilitated the protests at Kirby Misperton, with groups of protesters walking along Habton Road in front of lorries every day, twice a day.

A spokesman said officers were “on-hand to ensure everyone was safe, and keep disruption to the local community to a minimum”, and on each occasion, vehicles heading to or from the hydraulic fracturing site were delayed by about 20 minutes, before continuing on their journeys.

Police Liaison Officers were also at the scene to speak with members of the protest community, and explain what was acceptable in terms of safety.

A force spokesperson said: “We are continuing to support and protect people engaged in safe, reasonable and peaceful protest at Kirby Misperton. Officers are there to balance the needs and wishes of everyone involved, including protesters, businesses and local residents going about their daily lives without disruption.”

There have been 84 arrests as part of the police operation connected to hydraulic fracturing at Kirby Misperton since September 2017, on suspicion of offences including obstruction of the highway, obstructing police officers, assaulting police officers and causing danger to road users.