Dale Farm Eviction Starts

The eviction of the Hovefields site at the dale Farm travellers site in Essex started today, with water being cut off and bulldozers moving in to tear down structures. A number of arrests amongst those who were on-site to resist the evictions have taken place. More to follow.

Press release from the Dale Farm Support group:

The eviction of Gypsy families at Hovefields, Essex SS12 9JA started this morning. Approximately 50 bailiffs arrived this morning at the site to launch the next stage of the eviction process. Legal proceedings are currently underway regarding breaches of health and safety law at previous operation Hovefields in June. (1)

Basildon District Council is employing Constant & Co bailiffs, who were recently awarded a £2 million contract to evict Dale Farm, the largest traveller site in the UK, (2) only 2 miles away.

Bailiffs arrived from 8am this morning, with large numbers of police. They have occupied a plot in order to set up an operating unit, and are currently telling families to leave the site.

Residents from around East Anglia are supporting the traveller communities facing eviction, including the Hovefields residents, through the Save Dale Farm campaign: http://dalefarm.wordpress.com.

Information and interviews at the site:
Phone: 07783322752
Email: dale.farm@btinternet.com

Notes to the editors

(1) http://dalefarm.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/hovefields-evictions/
(2) http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/jul/27/dale-farm-essex-travellers-eviction