In pictures: Dale Farm evictions

An Enforcement Officer and a Security Officer remove a protester at Dale Farm in Essex where supporters have clashed with riot police at the UK"s largest illegal travellers" site as the planned eviction got under way on 19 OctoberPA

Angry scenes and violent clashes erupted at Dale Farm in Basildon, with bricks and debris thrown at police as they moved in to prepare the way for bailiffs clearing the illegal part of the UK's largest travellers' site.

Riot police prepare to evict travellers and their supporters from Dale Farm, near Basildon, east of London, on October 19, 2011Getty Images

Riot police entered the site after breaking down a rear fence just after 07:00 BST. The move came during discussions, described by supporters as a distraction, at the main gate.

Riot police break through fencing on 19 OctoberGetty Images

At least 50 officers led the operation to clear the site, which came after travellers lost a last-ditch attempt to halt the evictions at the Court of Appeal on Monday.

Flames engulf a caravan during evictions from Dale Farm travellers camp on 19 October, 2011Getty Images

Officers were met with resistance and confrontations with masked protesters, who had placed more barricades around the site. Essex Police said two people had been tasered and three arrested, while firefighters went to the scene after a caravan was set on fire.

A traveller holds aloft a crucifix as a caravan burns on Dale Farm, near Basildon, east of London, on October 19, 2011Getty Images

The BBC's Jeremy Cooke inside the camp described the situation as "very dramatic", but added that protesters were heavily outnumbered by the police.

A barricade burns in front of a line of riot police at the Dale Farm Traveller site near Billericay, southern England 19 October 2011Reuters

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.

Police rise up in a cherry picker to talk to protestors stood on a scaffold platform during evictions from Dale Farm travellers camp on 19 October, 2011Getty Images

The focus later shifted to the main gate, where a number of activists remained chained to the overhead gantry.

A police officer stands near a tower made of scaffolding at the Dale Farm Traveller site near Basildon, Essex, on 19 October, 2011Reuters

Officers began removing protesters from the 40ft (12m) high scaffolding one by one, with several masked protesters being taken away in handcuffs.

Protesters feed a fire from the remains of a burnt caravan during evictions from Dale Farm travellers camp on 19 October, 2011Getty Images

The eviction, which could cost up to £18m, marks the end of a 10-year battle between travellers, who bought a former scrap yard on green belt land in 2001 and established their caravans there, and the council.

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