'Robust' meeting hears concerns over Kirby Misperton anti-fracking protests

Protestors and residents had contacted Mr Hollinrake voicing concerns over the way that protests at the Third Energy fracking site in Kirby Misperton had been handled.

Mr Hollinrake organised a meeting with representatives of each party along with the Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan and Assistant Chief Constable Phil Cain.

He said: “The meetings were robust but constructive and I hope will be that starting point for regular meetings to make sure that the relationship between police, local residents and protestors at Kirby Misperton is positive and effective.”

Mr Hollinrake said that concerns were expressed at the meeting that the police had been too heavy-handed in dealing with protestors and that they had failed to distinguish between the actions of peaceful, law-abiding protestors and those with more extreme views.

He added: “North Yorkshire Police has agreed to review its local neighbourhood policing practices and to keep up a dialogue with protestors in the future.”

It is hoped that the meetings will become a regular occurrence to ease tensions between all parties involved.