‘Travellers smashed our windows’ (From Echo)

‘Travellers smashed our windows’

11:52am Wednesday 13th June 2007 in News

A FAMILY surrounded by illegal traveller developments who were shot at with airguns last week have now had their kitchen windows smashed with stones.

The Walsh family, from Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, called police after the window was repeatedly stoned until it smashed.

Jill Walsh, 54, said: "Last week an air pellet missed me by inches and now this.

"My son's girlfriend was home alone and was terrified. She called 999 and this time, police came very quickly and were here in four minutes.

"They went and spoke to the travellers on the plots opposite where the stones were coming from.

"This is the third window to go on the house. We are not going to replace it this time, because the insurance will no longer cover us and it will just be broken again.

"We shouldn't have to live like this."

Residents are due to meet police and other authorities amid claims their area, which includes Hovefields Drive, is not being properly policed.

Essex Police confirmed the attack.

A spokeswoman said: "We spoke to people in the area. A teenage boy was arrested, but in relation to a separate criminal damage, not the window. He was released without charge."

- Councillors are due to vote over whether to evict travellers from seven plots overlooking the Walsh family home at a meeting of Basildon Council's development control committee on Tuesday.

The families have failed to comply with an order to vacate the site this March set by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Hundreds fight move to Pitsea

NINETY five per cent of residents consulted have objected to plans to develop a traveller site at Pitsea.

More than 350 out of the 375 properties written to in the area have called on councillors to ditch the plan to move travellers from Crays Hill to Terminus Drive.

Councillors look set to bin plans from travellers facing eviction from the Dale Farm site in Crays Hill after officers recommended refusal.

They will vote on the plans for a five-pitch site at Terminus Drive from Dale Farm Housing Association at the development control committee on Tuesday.

Network Rail has objected on grounds it could compromise safety on the nearby railway and Essex County Council's highways departent has also objected.

The travellers say the site would be built for the most needy families, including some with serious health problems and a mother with two deaf children.

Campaigner Grattan Puxonsaid: "This level of objection highlights the prejudice faced by gypsies and travellers. We are talking about five pitches in a brownfield site identified by John Prescott as suitable, yet we get 357 objections."