Caution urged over travellers’ eviction

Police are urging farmers to take “sensible precautions” before hundreds of travellers are evicted from an illegal site in Essex.

A 28-day notice served on residents of Dale Farm, an illegal traveller settlement near the village of Cray’s Hill expired at midnight.

The notice served by Basildon Council required travellers to vacate 51 unauthorised plots developed without permission on greenbelt land.

The council now plans to take direct action to clear the site.

This will involve the removal of caravans and mobile homes ahead of digging up hard standings, roads and outbuildings.

Council leader Tony Ball said: “Direct action to clear Dale Farm is a last resort for the council and we take it reluctantly.”

Action would only take place after the travellers had been informed of the intended date when the operation would begin, he added.

The decision has fuelled fears among local residents that evicted travellers could move out and set up camp on nearby farmland.

In an attempt to allay concerns, Essex Police has established an additional community policing team within the Cray’s Hill area of Billericay.

“You can protect your business by taking sensible precautions and by reviewing your current security, CCTV capability and insurance,” it said.

The NFU has circulated police advice to its members across East Anglia.

Farmers could take a number of practical steps to prevent trespassers entering their land, said the union.

These included blocking field entrances, putting chains and locks on gates, digging ditches and removing cattle grids.

But any measures taken to obstruct entry should be reasonable in the circumstances and should not endanger lives, the NFU warned.

“Landowners and occupiers can be liable for injury to and loss sustained by trespassers as a result of known hazards on the land.”

Farmers should consider working with neighbours to take steps to identify the names of potential trespassers, or details of their vehicles.

This would make it easier to serve with any court documents on them, such as applications for injunctions.

But farmers should avoid doing anything that could put themselves or any other person in any potentially dangerous situation.

“Tensions can run high on both sides in these situations, and can easily get out of hand, so it is important that you try to avoid inflaming the situation.”

If in doubt, farmers should seek legal advice regarding their options as soon as possible, and gather as much evidence as possible to support their case.

Farmers Weekly reporter Johann Tasker interviews the travellers in their homes