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* * * News for 15th June 2002 * * *


Horsted: 15th June 2002

Travellers Travellers Prevented from Entering Horsted Farm!

Quick-thinking residents acted this afternoon to block a band of Travellers who were attempting entry onto the fields at Horsted Farm, after spotting several men with crowbars breaking the gate and fence.

A couple who live on the Davis Estate placed their car in front of the damaged fence and stood defiantly in the path of the invaders, telephoning the police and the Council's emergency line on their mobile 'phones. The Travellers departed, and later the couple contacted Cllr John Ward as the Council had stated that they were not in a position to repair the fence and gate over the weekend, and we feared that the caravans might return under cover of darkness. The police were apparently powerless as well.

Cllr Ward also contacted the Council straight away, with little more success, and also left a message for the Council's Community Safety Portfolio Holder, Cllr Angela Prodger who was away from the area until late that evening, but who has now returned and provided some of the details about this group that are reported here. Both Cllr Ward and the couple have checked the fields several times, and the Travellers have not returned—presumably they found somewhere else to stay, though there is no reason to assume they will not return once they have been ejected from wherever they are now.

It is believed that this was the group of Travellers who had been evicted from the Gravesend area the day before (Friday), and had passed through Hoo. Among the details known about them is the unsettling knowledge that they are armed not only with crowbars but with knives and guns as well.

Thankfully our gallant couple did not tackle the crowbar-wielding men overtly or speak to them, which could conceivably have sparked a more serious incident. Advice is not to tackle such people yourself.