Statement of ???? about events at Gotan Camp at Swilly's Copse, off the Wantage Road, Newbury, Berkshire on 30 January 1996



I arrived at 10 am and I saw security going through the ground camp which consisted of a bender, 4-5 tents, campfire with a rain shelter. I saw them pick it up, carry it to the edge of the site and drop it on the ground. They were very destructive in the way that they removed the camp. I went to complain to the senior officer on site who happened to be Chief Inspector Lawrence from Hampshire. I explained that there were no possession orders for the land to another officer and he said that the contractors were wrong to evict if there were people in the camp. (there happened to be 5 people forcefully removed from the camp). I later pointed out to Officer Lawrence that they were going through treehouses throwing our stuff out and then cutting down the trees. He told me "I know it's wrong, and they know it's wrong, but their legal advisor says it's ok, so it's between you, the security, and the contractors". Also, a lot of my personal belongings disappeared when I got to my old home.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Signed......................................................................

Dated......................................................................