POLICE arrested 39 people during the two-day operation at Dale Farm.

Among them is a woman who has been charged for failing to remove a mask under the Criminal Justice Act. All the others, arrested for obstructing a bailiff, have been bailed.

Twenty-three were released on bail, one was released without charge, and a further 14 were last night still in custody.

Supt Trevor Roe, Essex Police's spokesman at the eviction, said all those arrested – barring one person from Basildon – were from outside the area.

Nine police forces, including Essex, London’s Met Police, Thames Valley, Surrey and Wales, are taking part in the eviction.