In the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday, a senior planning enforcement officer, Nina Johnson-Marshall, was escorted by police through Hertfordshire to Sawbridgeworth. Her mission was to serve a High Court injunction obtained to halt a traveller encampment on a plot of greenbelt land.
The travellers had begun preparing the site, which is a habitat for wildlife, by laying hardcore and intended to occupy it permanently with mobile homes and caravans. This action, if successful, would have likely led to a protracted legal battle involving retrospective planning permission applications.
The injunction, secured by East Hertfordshire District Council, was served on August 31 at 12:30 a.m. It prohibited the occupation of caravans and vehicles and gave police the power of arrest for any further development on the land adjacent to Sheering Mill Lane. The judge's decision was influenced by an incident where a Jewish protester was allegedly threatened with violence.
By 9 a.m. that morning, the site was cleared by police without incident. Local residents, who had been alerted via WhatsApp and Facebook, watched as the vehicles and machinery departed. Councillor Greg Rattey, a former mayor of Sawbridgeworth, praised the community's response on Facebook.
The community's mobilization began as soon as lorries carrying diggers and hardcore arrived on the Friday of the bank holiday weekend. Residents organized shifts to monitor the site, with some camping out overnight. Local support included the provision of refreshments and social activities for those maintaining the vigil.
A legal team, assembled by the local authority, worked over the bank holiday weekend to gather evidence, including witness statements and proof of land ownership, to satisfy the requirements for an out-of-hours injunction. The council described the operation as a "masterclass in effective collaboration."
While the immediate encampment was stopped, the land, described as a wildlife-rich floodplain next to a rare chalk stream, sustained damage and will require restoration. Questions have arisen regarding the sale of the land. Two individuals, Leonard Richards and Darren Glover, were named on the injunction as registered owners, though their ultimate responsibility remains unclear as land registry records may not be fully updated. Glover confirmed he had sold the land approximately 18 months prior.
The situation in Sawbridgeworth has highlighted what some perceive as insufficient legal powers for local authorities and police to deal with unauthorized encampments. Labour MP Josh Dean stated he would seek a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss necessary changes to the law.
The effectiveness of the Sawbridgeworth response has been attributed to the community's rapid and unified action. In many other instances, travellers occupy legally purchased sites, making removal for trespassing impossible. 'Stop notices,' often issued in such cases, are frequently disregarded without immediate consequence, leaving police with a limited role focused on preventing disorder.
Residents described instances of intimidation from the travellers, including threats and aggressive behavior. One resident, who alerted authorities after spotting a truck heading towards the site, reported being dismissed by a workman claiming only a small section of pavement would be tarmacked.
The community's efforts extended to disrupting the supply chain for the encampment. Dominic Connor, a tech journalist, focused on contacting companies delivering materials, leading one firm, Harlow Fencing, to cease deliveries upon learning of the concerns.
Alex Williams, involved in community mobilization via social media, emphasized the power of collective action, suggesting that legislative changes to grant councils more authority are unlikely in the near future.