And at public meetings in the village last week police told campaigners who have spent more than two years trying to get the mast relocated that only peaceful protests will be allowed when it happens.

The meetings were called by Ryedale commander Insp Helen Taylor and eastern area operations commander Supt Alison Higgins.

About 70 residents attended the two meeting when Insp Taylor said police wanted to work with the community and with Orange’s contractors to ensure the switch on happened in safety.

She said she was aware of the strength of feeling against the location of the mast but said Orange had gone through all the legal and planning processes and had a lawful right to connect the mast to its network.

“It’s my job to ensure I communicate and consult with the community to find out what the feeling is. I’m aware there have been peaceful protests here but I’ve got experience in other areas where people have been irrational because they felt the pressure to respond to what was happening.

“My primary concern is safety of the community and safety of the Orange contractors.”

Supt Higgins said police would allow protesters to demonstrate “within certain parameters” provided it was lawful.

She said: “If you tell us you want to make a lawful protest we will work with you and tell you what you can and can’t do. If you do something different to what we’ve agreed then we will stop that protest taking place.”

A number of villagers at the meeting complained about the way Orange had handled the situation and said the company had kept them in the dark, but Insp Taylor said she was in contact with Orange and would share information with the community.

Main opposition has centred on claims the mast posed a health risk – a charge denied by Orange.

Insp Taylor said the company had offered to meet the full cost of an independent assessment of emissions once the mast was connected. It had suggested a working group of local authority, police and community representatives be set up to propose locations for the survey.