Traveller eviction: Will we be safe?

3:17pm Thursday 24th January 2008

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RESIDENTS demanded assurances they will be safe if hundreds of travellers are kicked out of the Dale Farm traveller site.

More than 50 residents packed out Crays Hill Church Hall, in London Road, Crays Hill, last night, to grill council leader Malcolm Buckley over the impending High Court challenge by travellers to the authority's decision to evict.

Mr Buckley warned the audience he could not guarantee the outcome of next month's court battle, but the eviction would go ahead as soon as legally possible, but only after intricate planning.

"I am not going to spend nearly £2million of our money to end up with egg on my face. If it went wrong I would be out of a job and I am determined to see it to the end."

Members of Crays Hill Residents' Association asked Mr Buckley how he would ensure their safety if and when the 86 families are kicked out.

Mr Buckley said he did not believe travellers would target individuals, but revealed that following the first eviction vote police installed panic alarms at his home in Wickford amid fears he may be attacked. He said: "I know the threats Len Gridley has faced, but I felt this was unnecessary.

"I do not believe travellers will have vendettas with individuals. I think they see it more as a battle with the establishment than people."

He went on to say a full risk assesment was carried out when the action was planned in 2005 and a further one was underway.

Officers will be brought in from outside Essex because the county's force will not be able to provide the 400 needed.

A middle-aged man asked: "What about in the village and after the eviction? How can you guarantee we will be safe?"

Mr Buckley said: "Off-icers will remain in the area until they are satisfied there is no longer a risk.

"This will not be over in a day, but there is no immediate threat to the village."