ONE-in-five anti-fracking protesters felt police violence at events was unnecessary and disproportionate, a police monitoring group found yesterday.

The figure was released as part of the first findings of a survey by the Network for Police Monitoring (Netpol) on forces’ handling of environmental direct actions.

The watchdog registered over 100 responses in just under a week.

Group co-ordinator Kevin Blowe said the stats came mostly from arrests at two protests in Barton Moss and Balcombe.

“Policing there has been pretty heavy-handed, so our aim is to try to avoid and prepare people to avoid this,” said Mr Blowe.

Activists also complained of police visits to their homes and over 11 per cent thought protesters were being spied on.

Frack Off campaigner Hannah Walters spoke to the Star about her own experiences with the police when campaigning against extreme energy.

“The rapidly growing UK anti-fracking movement is clearly worrying the government, the industry and police who are being brought in to protect the interests of both.”

Ms Walters added that police were not only present on fracking sites during demonstrations “in enormous numbers” but also outside community organising and other public meetings.

“If the movement wasn’t experiencing oppression it would be a sign that we were failing,” said Ms Walters.

“We just have to be aware of our rights and the need to spread awareness of those rights and to not let this type of political policing weaken the fastest growing social movement in the UK.”

The costs of policing the West Sussex and Salford sit-ins was another source of concern, with the taxpayer footing a bill of close to £6 million.

Netpol also worried about the training police forces are receiving to deal with anti-fracking protests.

Earlier this week Manchester Police suffered a humiliation after it was revealed officers misunderstood the law when performing an arrest at Barton Moss.

Netpol will continue collecting information until the end of the month.

joanaramiro@peoples-press.com