Great Barford Ward Councillor Stephen Moon has criticised the ‘lack of urgency’ from both Bedfordshire Police and Bedford Borough Council in evicting gypsies from an unauthorised encampment.
Bedfordshire Police finally moved in to remove the group from the green opposite Asgard Drive and Thor Drive on Wednesday evening (2nd July) after it was occupied last Friday (27th June). Cllr Moon has argued that the prevalence of anti-social behaviour should have activated the Police’s enforcement powers sooner.
It has also emerged that Bedford Borough Council did not secure a Luton Magistrates Court hearing to obtain an eviction order until Thursday 3rd July; nearly a week after the site was occupied. Cllr Moon is of the view that the Borough should have got a hearing earlier in the week. He has also been critical of the Council for not serving the court summons until Wednesday morning.
Cllr Moon said:
‘The distinct lack of urgency on the part of the Police and the Council to undertake enforcement action was completely unacceptable.
‘The clear evidence of anti-social behaviour, including the existence of toilet waste in bushes, reckless driving on the green and pavements and the intimidation of residents should have caused the Police to use their enforcement powers much sooner. Their delay was unfair to the residents who felt totally powerless.
‘I do not accept that the earliest court hearing the Council could get was 6 days after the occupation of the site. The fact that the court summons was not served on the gypsies until Wednesday morning also shows a lack of urgency.
‘The eviction should have taken place earlier in the week on the initiative of either the Council or the Police. The residents I have spoken to feel totally let down.’