Crays Hill travellers site
planner | 21.03.2006 01:36
Here is a good plan for an eviction that the authorities might want to take note of.
Currently there are approximately 300 gypsies living illegally on the site which is green belt land, land that everyone else needs planning permission to build on, land that is precious because so many other areas are built up.
Evicting such a large number of illegal squatters is bound to be difficult, especially given the violent preparations such as placing gas canisters around the perimeter (potentially lethal) and erecting barbed wire and barricades.
A ratio of at least 3 policemen per illegal squatter would be practical, however 5 might be an idea. Baliffs of the court would be additional.
Tactics should be carefully considered. An eviction of this size is pretty much unprecedented. If I was running the eviction I would want it to proceed quickly. Enlisting the help of airborne troops and helicopters from the Army should be considered.
A time frame prior to the eviction should urge families to leave making it clear that they are endangering their safety by remaining.
The assault should be swift. Officers in riot gear from the TSG and SPG should surround the compound, water cannon from the PSNI should be on hand, as should fire engines to prevent dangerous blazes. A final warning should be given to leave under escort. Following this the compound should be stormed with a frontal assault team of specialist officers, with support of baton guns and overhead strike capability from a police helicopter. The airborne team should then deploy from ropes, with the onus on highly mobile and highly aggressive movements to "shock and awe" the illegal squatters into complying immediately with their orders.
The gas and traps should be neutralised as quickly as possible with support from the fire brigade and army engineers.
A heavily guarded corridor from the camp should be created with riot officers to force the squatters away from the area.
The locals should be protected from reprisals by locking down the area for the next week.
A boat should be readied at the nearby Grays port to transit the travellers to Ireland (many are Irish passport holders) if they will not comply with their orders to encamp on an alternative site.
Bulldozers should enter the site through clearways to begin the process of reclaiming the site as the occupants are removed. Snatch squads should seek to target ringleaders and neutralise them as soon as possible in the operation.
The potential for mass arrests will need to be considered. Custody should be opened at nearby stations and a temporary prison encampment should be considered in a location nearby using mobile custody.
With a will and determination this problem can be solved. Hopefully the authorities will take note.
planner
Currently there are approximately 300 gypsies living illegally on the site which is green belt land, land that everyone else needs planning permission to build on, land that is precious because so many other areas are built up.
Evicting such a large number of illegal squatters is bound to be difficult, especially given the violent preparations such as placing gas canisters around the perimeter (potentially lethal) and erecting barbed wire and barricades.
A ratio of at least 3 policemen per illegal squatter would be practical, however 5 might be an idea. Baliffs of the court would be additional.
Tactics should be carefully considered. An eviction of this size is pretty much unprecedented. If I was running the eviction I would want it to proceed quickly. Enlisting the help of airborne troops and helicopters from the Army should be considered.
A time frame prior to the eviction should urge families to leave making it clear that they are endangering their safety by remaining.
The assault should be swift. Officers in riot gear from the TSG and SPG should surround the compound, water cannon from the PSNI should be on hand, as should fire engines to prevent dangerous blazes. A final warning should be given to leave under escort. Following this the compound should be stormed with a frontal assault team of specialist officers, with support of baton guns and overhead strike capability from a police helicopter. The airborne team should then deploy from ropes, with the onus on highly mobile and highly aggressive movements to "shock and awe" the illegal squatters into complying immediately with their orders.
The gas and traps should be neutralised as quickly as possible with support from the fire brigade and army engineers.
A heavily guarded corridor from the camp should be created with riot officers to force the squatters away from the area.
The locals should be protected from reprisals by locking down the area for the next week.
A boat should be readied at the nearby Grays port to transit the travellers to Ireland (many are Irish passport holders) if they will not comply with their orders to encamp on an alternative site.
Bulldozers should enter the site through clearways to begin the process of reclaiming the site as the occupants are removed. Snatch squads should seek to target ringleaders and neutralise them as soon as possible in the operation.
The potential for mass arrests will need to be considered. Custody should be opened at nearby stations and a temporary prison encampment should be considered in a location nearby using mobile custody.
With a will and determination this problem can be solved. Hopefully the authorities will take note.
planner
planner