Along with many other people, I feel unsure about the fracking issue simply because of the blitz of statistics and spin coming from both camps.

I heard Caroline Lucas (pictured right), whom I broadly support, say the majority of Balcombe’s residents supported the protests, whereas others suggest that though they are opposed to fracking they don’t want “direct action” protests.

Ms Lucas wants an increase in offshore wind farms while another prominent supporter of the anti-fracking group suggested online that these wind farms could lead to disturbances in tectonic plates.

BBC reporters have heard Balcombe locals discussing disturbances to the water table and a contaminated supply, which cannot be the result of anything Cuadrilla has done so far.

This major issue for the country as a whole to grapple with, namely the continuance of affordable energy, is being hijacked by spin and manipulation of statistics.

On the one hand the supporters of fracking will alienate sections of the rural community by ignoring concerns and insisting it is “safe”. On the other, the “antis” could alienate people through direct action, damaging their cause.

Perhaps both the demonstrators and pro-fracking organisations can agree on a proper discussion and debate, and leave the village alone for a while.

I am certain that any future planning permission requests will be much more closely scrutinised and objections raised, perhaps avoiding these confrontations in the future.

Denys Michael Bairstow, Bromley Road, Brighton

Why are all these protesters targeting Balcombe? If they had done a bit of research they would find that fracking has been going on in Beckingham, Nottinghamshire, since 1963.

Locals say there haven’t been any environmental problems or effects on an RSPB reserve nearby.

What has surprised me is that no one has mentioned the great crested newt!

As for Caroline Lucas, what is she doing at Balcombe? She is a Brighton MP and should be sorting out problems in Brighton. That’s what she gets paid for.

Raymond Metcalfe, Staplefield Drive, Brighton

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for a healthier environment, but what I don’t get is how the publicity-hungry Caroline Lucas and her platitudes get us there.

I get the idea of no fracking in Balcombe but would residents be happy with an acre of wind turbines on their doorstep? Probably not.

Has Ms Lucas offered this as an alternative? Not from what I have seen. She’s too busy jumping on other bandwagons, such as getting rid of Page 3.

Please Caroline, stop the publicity shenanigans and concentrate on sorting out the mess your constituency is in.

Phil Yeoman, Hanover Terrace, Brighton

Caroline Lucas can be congratulated on yet another well-orchestrated photo-opportunity but I take exception to the inference there was no alternative to this “peaceful, non-violent” demonstration.

As an MP, it is her responsibility to raise issues in Parliament.

If she really believes the House of Commons completely ignores her views, she could always resign her seat. There would then be a by-election where these (and other) issues would be publicly debated and voters would make their views clear at the ballot box.

Simon Elliott, Belgrave Street, Brighton

I heard that Caroline Lucas of the Green Party was arrested for obstructing a private company into stopping an activity that is both legal and safe.

I thought she would become involved in something which has cost taxpayers more than £750,000 for a police presence.

Doesn’t she know that in the 1970s, from a humble farm in Dorset, thousands of barrels of such oil a day were discovered?

Unlike at Balcombe, the community in Dorset had no cause to complain. Activists weren’t interested.

Research has shown that fracking is safe and perfectly legal.

Latest estimates suggest 1,300 trillion cubic feet of shale gas lies beneath the surface of Britain.

Why doesn’t Ms Lucas appreciate Earth’s natural resources laying beneath us? Would she prefer that miners dig deep down for coal, as they did many years ago?

Charles Holcombe, Roedean Crescent, Brighton

I was disappointed to see Caroline Lucas arrested for obstructing the public highway in Balcombe.

It seems my plan to park my car in the middle of Old Steine as a legitimate protest against extortionate parking charges in Brighton would be frustrated by Sussex Police.

By the way, did she cycle or recycle to Balcombe?

Tim Major, Brew House, Haywards Heath

I have found no proof, after extensive research, that any Government body has found any proof that fracking in the UK since 1988 has caused pollution to water, land or air.

Since 1988, 200-plus wells have been fracked in the UK, mainly in Dorset, Hamphire and the East Midlands, with no problems reported that I can find. I would think 25 years is a fair enough time-span for any problems to surface.

With regards those pointing out that lots of water is used in hydraulic stimulation (boffin-speak for fracking), I would agree.

But then a recent BBC online report stated that 3.36 billion litres of water is lost every day by the England and Wales water industry through leaks alone...

Malcolm Thomason, Jobes, Balcombe

I am a first-time protester (and a full UK taxpayer) spending my annual leave at the anti-fracking protest in Balcombe.

I have three questions for the Government: Please could it provide for the public a full risk assessment regarding the fracking process, in the same way we are required to comply in many aspects of life?

The fracking process requires millions of gallons of water. South East Water, in a recent consultation, expressed concern about meeting public demand. Where will the water for fracking sites come from?

And how will the toxic liquid by-product of the fracking process be safely disposed?

Kate Murdoch, North Chailey