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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 moving in to secure the illegal part of the UK's largest travellers' site in Essex before bailiffs arrived. 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.
Essex Police said two people had been Tasered and three arrested. 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 entered the site after breaking down a rear fence at 07:00 BST, prompting angry scenes. Officers in riot gear broke down a rear fence, prompting angry scenes.
The travellers lost a last-ditch attempt to stave off the evictions at the Court of Appeal on Monday but protesters pledged they would fight on. The travellers lost a final attempt on Monday to stave off the evictions, but protesters pledged they would fight on.
They said police entered the rear of the site during discussions, described by supporters as a distraction, at the main gate. Officers have now begun removing protesters from the 40ft (12m) high scaffolding on the gate.
One caravan at the site was set on fire. 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.
'Heavily outnumbered' 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.
One resident said she had been hit by a baton. The ambulance service said 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.
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. 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".
"Our objective was to secure the site and make it safe so that clearances could begin. An inquiry will be carried out later in to any reports of use of excessive force," Supt Trevor Roe said. 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".
"They have met with a lot of resistance here. Stones have been thrown, we've seen Tasers deployed," he said.
Talks broke down
He added: "Police quickly moved through the site to the main gate once they had gained entry as this was the most important point. Bailiffs and heavy machinery have to come on to the site through this barricaded gate."
Officers have now begun removing protesters from the 40ft (12m) high scaffolding on the gate.
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.
Several masked protesters have been taken away in handcuffs. About 25 protesters remain on the rampart and officers are removing them one by one. Resident Nora Egan said she had been struck as she told police they were not entitled to break down fences.
Resident Nora Egan said she was 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." 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."
A statement from Essex Police said: "First officers on the site were attacked with missiles being thrown including rocks and liquids. These officers were fully equipped to deal with this situation." But police said consistent attempts had been made asking protesters to leave the site peacefully.
It added: "Consistent attempts have been made, both on Tuesday and this morning, to negotiate with 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.
The eviction, which could cost up to £18m, marks the end of a 10-year battle between travellers, who bought a former scrap yard 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.
'Organised violence'
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: "The pre-meditated and organised scenes of violence that we have already seen with protesters throwing rocks and bricks, threatening police with iron bars and setting fire to a caravan are shocking. He said: "These are utterly disgraceful scenes and demonstrate the fact some so-called supporters were always intent on violence.
"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."
Mr Ball added: "I feel some sympathy for the women and children who have been misled by their own community who said that if they settled on the site they would be granted planning permission and this was never the case."
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."
'Minimum force'
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. 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."
"This is a site clearance not a forced eviction and we hope it will become peaceful but that is up to travellers and protesters."
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."