ARRESTS were made today as the first lorries moved on to the fracking site at Kirby Misperton.

Dozens of protesters and police gathered outside Third Energy’s well site near Pickering, North Yorkshire.

Third Energy say the lorries were delivering a water tank and wheel washing facility for vehicles that will visit the site, which is near the Flamingo Land theme park.

Police moved several protesters away from the site and two men, aged 33 and 69, were arrested in connection with the incident.

Superintendent Alisdair Dey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “We know that there are very different views about hydraulic fracturing, but as the local police, our responsibility is to carry out our duties impartially.

“We have a duty to make sure that people who want to assemble and protest do so safely, balanced against a duty to ensure that businesses can go about their lawful commercial activity.

“Police liaison officers have been engaging with the protest community, and will continue to do so, explaining what is acceptable in terms of safety and reasonableness.”

North Yorkshire Police say the 69-year-old was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and obstructing a police officer. The 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of obstructing an officer. 

It is understood one man was subsequently released without charge, but a third arrest was made later.

Anti-fracking campaigners say they sat down in front of the gates leading to the well site when they heard lorries were due to arrive at about 10.30am. Retired vicar, Rev Jackie Cray, led a prayer and as the group held a two minute silence, police moved in to pull people away from the gates.

The first lorry drove on to the site late morning.

One of the protesters, Michelle Easton, said most of those who took part in today's demonstration were from the local area. 

"I think today's events have made people even more determined," she said.

"A lot of people were quite shocked at how heavy-handed things got and just how quickly. Nobody was shouting, there was no verbal abuse or physical violence from the protesters at all."

Another of the demonstrators, Leigh Coghill said: "This is the same community who has campaigned for three yeras against this. They are there because this is the last resort. It was a huge community turn-out."

Last week, North Yorkshire County Council signed off the planning conditions for fracking at Kirby Misperton and Third Energy filed a 'notice of commencement', indicating that 'pre-stimulation' work would start from today, Tuesday, September 19.

Third Energy’s plan for how it will carry out the fracking operation itself still requires final signoff from the Environment Agency and the Oil and Gas Authority.