Travellers evicted from the infamous Dale Farm site have been let off a £4million debt by officials in a move branded a “slap in the face of taxpayers” . 

Shockingly locals will now shoulder the cost of the 2011 eviction which saw police and bailiffs embroiled in a heated battle at the giant encampment in Crays Hill.

Originally council chiefs told residents they would claw back the costs from the fight to evict 90 families.

But now it has emerged Basildon Council gave up once they realised the difficulty in chasing the gypsies. 

This is an embarrassing climb-down from statements made in the wake of the eviction, when then leader Tony Ball fumed: “They can pay cash or can offer the land as part payment, or we can try to seize the land. 

“It will not be done overnight, but legal cases never are. They will probably resist it.”

Locals have called for answers after the news emerged today.

Conservative Councillor Chris Jackman, who represents residents near the Hovefields traveller site, said: “I have witnessed the affair from beginning to end. 

“It is extremely disappointing to see the lack of follow through and the lack of commitment Basildon Council officers have shown. 

“It is a dereliction of duty and a slap in the face of tax payers.”

Dale Farm was once the largest illegal travellers’ site in Europe - at its height more than 1,000 were people living there - and was at the centre of a decade-long planning row.

But in October 2011 the six acres were finally cleared amid violent scenes as travellers and campaigners clashed with bailiffs and police.

The final cost of the eviction was nearly £7m, with Basildon Council picking up a bill for £4.3m whilst Essex Police spent £2.4m on their involvement. 

Now official council documents reveal: “For a number of reasons, including lack of information about landowners’ whereabouts and the likelihood of being able to recover the debt through other means at the time, it was decided that no further action would be taken to pursue the debts.” 

"However, as this is a factual report setting out the current position, it is not felt that there are any further appropriate actions that can be taken at this stage."

The papers from the authority’s Performance Scrutiny Committee show that the occupies of the encampment owe the public purse £4,049,273.81. 

The average bill was about £60,000 - although the highest demand was £350,000 - but not a single penny has been recovered.

Officials reached this figure by lodging charges with the Land Registry for the costs associated with the site clearances. 

The costs of each individual operation were calculated and then divided proportionately based of the square meter of each plot cleared, according to each registered title.

Since the eviction Oak Lane - the dirt road which leads up to Dale Farm - has become a grot spot popular for dumping rubbish and fly-tipping.

And the 60-plot site itself has became largely overgrown and has been returned to the Green Belt.

Basildon Council said it was considering the "specific circumstances" of the Dale Farm saga.

A spokesman said: “Basildon Council is committed to the recovery of all sums due in order to safeguard public money and deliver the services that residents deserve.

“For all recovery actions, the council considers the specific circumstances to determine the most appropriate action.

"Dale Farm charges have been registered at the Land Registry to secure the council’s interest and the situation is monitored on an ongoing basis.”