Plans ready to evict travellers

Up to 400 residents are thought to live on the 51 unauthorised plots at Dale Farm, near Basildon
12 April 2012

Bailiffs, council officials and police are putting the final touches to plans that will see travellers evicted from the UK's largest unauthorised site.

Up to 400 residents are thought to live on the 51 unauthorised plots at Dale Farm, near Basildon, but will be removed on Monday as bailiffs move in.

Although half the site is legal, more than 80 properties have no planning permission.

The removal comes after the travellers lost a decade-long legal fight to remain at the site.

Residents have said they will resist bailiffs from Constant and Company on what promises to be a dramatic and tense day at the former scrapyard.

It is thought small groups of travellers have arrived at the site to support the residents but small numbers of families have also been seen leaving, with some setting up at the nearby Oak Lane legal site.

A field next to the site has been set up as a staging post for the bailiffs who are supported by teams from Basildon Council. Moving equipment, belonging to the bailiffs, is in place and under guard at the staging post and small numbers of police are in attendance to keep the peace.

The saga has attracted international attention and a council spokesman said around 24 broadcast trucks were already in position with crews from around Europe.

The spokesman described the current situation as "the lull before the storm" and police are ready for any possible trouble. Their intelligence suggested up to 2,000 supporters could swell the travellers' numbers.

Riot trained officers from forces including the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley, Norfolk and Suffolk will also be present on Monday.

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