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Dale Farm traveller site eviction starts with violence | Dale Farm traveller site eviction starts with violence |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Bricks and debris were thrown at police as officers moved into Dale Farm amid violent scenes to secure the illegal part of the travellers' site. | |
One person was Tasered and seven arrested as police moved through the former scrapyard in Essex - the largest travellers' site in the UK. | |
Officers in riot gear broke down a rear fence, prompting angry scenes. | |
The travellers lost a final attempt on Monday to stave off the evictions, but protesters pledged they would fight on. | |
Officers have now begun removing protesters from the 40ft (12m) high scaffolding on the gate. | |
Earlier, police entered the back of the site during discussions, described by supporters as a distraction, at the main gate. | |
One caravan was set on fire. | |
'Minor back injury' | |
Electricity supplies were cut and protesters wearing masks said this had turned off crucial medical equipment belonging to elderly residents. | Electricity supplies were cut and protesters wearing masks said this had turned off crucial medical equipment belonging to elderly residents. |
One resident said she had been hit by a baton. The ambulance service confirmed a woman had been taken to hospital with a back injury. | |
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, one for a nose bleed and one for chest pains but there was no evidence it had been a heart attack, an ambulance spokesman said. | Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, one for a nose bleed and one for chest pains but there was no evidence it had been a heart attack, an ambulance spokesman said. |
An Essex Police spokeswoman said on Wednesday afternoon that the situation had "reached a considerably more calm state than officers were faced with this morning". | |
She said the arrests had been for offences including violent disorder and a breach of the peace. | |
The spokeswoman added it was now believed only one person had been Tasered, not two as previously reported. | |
"We are aware a small number of people on the site have been treated for minor injuries and one woman has been taken to hospital for treatment to a minor back injury," she said. | |
Speaking at a press conference, Supt Trevor Roe said: "The tactic was to take early control of the site. | |
"Where we have intelligence there is likely to be violence we need to protect members of the public including bailiffs, police officers, travellers and protesters from injury. | |
"We also needed to provide access for all emergency services should they need to enter and exit the site. | |
He said two officers had deployed a Taser after being threatened with violence. | |
'Heavily outnumbered' | |
Police said they had received reports that bottles, liquids and bricks had been stockpiled and this was a threat to the public, including bailiffs and council workers. | |
The BBC's Jeremy Cooke, inside the camp, described the early morning entry by police as a "very dramatic situation". | The BBC's Jeremy Cooke, inside the camp, described the early morning entry by police as a "very dramatic situation". |
He said the protesters were "heavily outnumbered by the police". | He said the protesters were "heavily outnumbered by the police". |
The occupation of the Dale Farm by police began at first light when they streamed through a rear perimeter fence in riot gear. | The occupation of the Dale Farm by police began at first light when they streamed through a rear perimeter fence in riot gear. |
An alarm siren sounded inside the perimeter and protesters gathered at the main gate rushed to the eastern side of the site where police were streaming in. | An alarm siren sounded inside the perimeter and protesters gathered at the main gate rushed to the eastern side of the site where police were streaming in. |
They engaged in hand to hand fighting with the officers who had come across the adjacent fields. | They engaged in hand to hand fighting with the officers who had come across the adjacent fields. |
The operation was entirely police led and they were moving at jogging pace, driving back the protesters in a running battle. | The operation was entirely police led and they were moving at jogging pace, driving back the protesters in a running battle. |
Well in excess of 100 officers pushed people aside as they made their way through the site and I saw one traveller dragged and unceremoniously dumped. | Well in excess of 100 officers pushed people aside as they made their way through the site and I saw one traveller dragged and unceremoniously dumped. |
Within 15 minutes they had complete control but I did not see a single bailiff with them. | Within 15 minutes they had complete control but I did not see a single bailiff with them. |
Ranks of officers, including many from the Met force, lined up in front of the main gate and its gantry which has now become the symbol of the fight. | Ranks of officers, including many from the Met force, lined up in front of the main gate and its gantry which has now become the symbol of the fight. |
They were pelted with bricks, bottles and other debris and used riot shields above their heads as protection. | They were pelted with bricks, bottles and other debris and used riot shields above their heads as protection. |
Resident Nora Egan said she had been struck as she told police they were not entitled to break down fences. | |
She said: "This is being led by the police, there is no sign of bailiffs." | |
Resident Kathleen McCarthy said: "The memory of Dale Farm will weigh heavily on Britain for generations - we are being dragged out of the only homes we have in this world. | Resident Kathleen McCarthy said: "The memory of Dale Farm will weigh heavily on Britain for generations - we are being dragged out of the only homes we have in this world. |
"Our entire community is being ripped apart by Basildon Council and the politicians in government." | "Our entire community is being ripped apart by Basildon Council and the politicians in government." |
But police said consistent attempts had been made asking protesters to leave the site peacefully. | |
The eviction, which could cost up to £18m, marks the end of a 10-year battle between travellers, who bought a former scrapyard on green belt land in 2001 and established their caravans there, and the council. | |
More travellers joined them and some semi-permanent chalet dwellings were built. | More travellers joined them and some semi-permanent chalet dwellings were built. |
Over the past few days, travellers and their supporters have reinforced the perimeter of the 49 illegal plots at the site. | Over the past few days, travellers and their supporters have reinforced the perimeter of the 49 illegal plots at the site. |
Basildon Council leader Tony Ball condemned the violence between police and protesters. | Basildon Council leader Tony Ball condemned the violence between police and protesters. |
He said: "These are utterly disgraceful scenes and demonstrate the fact some so-called supporters were always intent on violence. | |
"Nonetheless we are going to press on with this operation with our partners in a safe, dignified and humane way and will uphold the law." | "Nonetheless we are going to press on with this operation with our partners in a safe, dignified and humane way and will uphold the law." |
He said that "alternative bricks and mortar accommodation" offered to the travellers had been turned down." | He said that "alternative bricks and mortar accommodation" offered to the travellers had been turned down." |
The council's initial application to have them evicted began a series of legal cases which saw the local authority and the travellers explore every part of the justice system to settle the dispute. | The council's initial application to have them evicted began a series of legal cases which saw the local authority and the travellers explore every part of the justice system to settle the dispute. |
As appeals were made by the travellers on humanitarian, medical and other grounds it became apparent they would have to go. | As appeals were made by the travellers on humanitarian, medical and other grounds it became apparent they would have to go. |
Conservative MP for Basildon John Baron said: "Police are using the minimum force required and when you are being pelted with bricks and rocks you are entitled to defend yourself." | |
Labour MEP Richard Howitt said: "The smoke above Dale Farm is the most visible sign of the failure of Basildon Council to seek a mediated solution." | Labour MEP Richard Howitt said: "The smoke above Dale Farm is the most visible sign of the failure of Basildon Council to seek a mediated solution." |