Bailiffs wait to enter Dale Farm

20 October 2011 Last updated at 00:10 ET

Several people had to be removed from the top of the scaffolding tower using a cherry picker

Bailiffs are expected to try to enter the Dale Farm travellers’ later if the 40ft high scaffolding tower at the entrance can be dismantled and removed.

Essex Police began the operation to clear the Basildon on Wednesday but were met with a hail of missiles and eventually made 23 arrests.

The violence has been condemned by Basildon Council leader Tony Ball who said they were doing the “right thing”.

One resident, Kathleen McCarthy, said the community was being “ripped apart”.

Superintendent Trevor Roe, of Essex Police, said their tactic had been “to take early control of the ” and defended the use of Tasers by two officers who had been “threatened directly”.

Police said they had received reports that bottles, liquids and bricks had been stockpiled and this was a threat to the public, including bailiffs and council workers.

Two caravans were set alight as police and protesters clashed over several hours.

‘Disgraceful scenes’

Cherry picking machinery was brought in to enable the removal of protesters who had climbed, and in some cases chained themselves, to the upper levels of the scaffolding gantry.

Those arrested are being held on suspicion of violent disorder, breach of the peace and obstruction.

Two caravans were set alight as police tried to clear protesters

The eviction follows the end of legal moves by the travellers to stay on the land they have owned since 2001 but not had permission to build on.

Mr Ball condemned the “utterly disgraceful scenes” which he said showed that “some so-called supporters were always intent on violence”.

But travellers have accused the police of being heavy-handed in the operation to clear 49 plots.

Ms McCarthy said: “The memory of Dale Farm will weigh heavily on Britain for generations – we are being dragged out of the only homes we have in this world.”

Basildon Council and “politicians in government” had ripped apart their entire community, she said.

Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay John Baron said police had been right to take control of the ’s clearance.

“The police have been restrained but at the end of the day, the police have got to defend themselves to ensure there is no violence,” he said.

Labour MEP Richard Howitt, who has criticised the council’s decision to press ahead with the eviction, was ejected from the on Wednesday amid claims that he had failed to give sufficient notice of his intention to go onto the land.

He spoke on Twitter of being shaken at his treatment saying he had been given police permission and a “council officer’s promise”.

The cost of the legal action in total and the operation to clear the which is entering its second day, is expected to reach £18m.

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