Eviction of travelers continues
Source: Agencies |
October 21, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ACTION to clear campaigners and barricades blocking the entrance to the UK's biggest illegal travelers' site resumed yesterday after the first day of the eviction operation resulted in 23 arrests amid violent clashes between police and protesters.
Police in riot gear used tasers against protesters who they said were armed with iron bars and were bombarding them with rocks and urine when they moved in to help clear the Dale Farm site near Basildon, Essex, on Wednesday.
Having taken control of the 2.5-hectare site, officers have begun removing protesters chained to scaffolding or other blockades near the front gate to allow bailiffs to start their clearance operation.
Basildon Council leader Tony Ball said: "I hope there are no repeats of yesterday's scenes of premeditated violence and disorder from the protesters on the site, and that we can get on with the job of upholding the law and clearing the site."
The eviction of about 400 travelers marks the climax of a 10-year planning battle with authorities.
The site's residents won a temporary reprieve last month when the High Court issued an injunction stopping officials from clearing the land.
But their victory was shortlived, and the battle came to an end when they lost a final legal hearing last week.
Police in riot gear used tasers against protesters who they said were armed with iron bars and were bombarding them with rocks and urine when they moved in to help clear the Dale Farm site near Basildon, Essex, on Wednesday.
Having taken control of the 2.5-hectare site, officers have begun removing protesters chained to scaffolding or other blockades near the front gate to allow bailiffs to start their clearance operation.
Basildon Council leader Tony Ball said: "I hope there are no repeats of yesterday's scenes of premeditated violence and disorder from the protesters on the site, and that we can get on with the job of upholding the law and clearing the site."
The eviction of about 400 travelers marks the climax of a 10-year planning battle with authorities.
The site's residents won a temporary reprieve last month when the High Court issued an injunction stopping officials from clearing the land.
But their victory was shortlived, and the battle came to an end when they lost a final legal hearing last week.
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