BAILIFFS finally moved in on the eco-warrior squatters barricaded into Yorkley Court Farm, last Thursday, sparking three days of conflict and ending three-and-a-half years of uncertainty.

But the bailiffs victory was short lived as the farm residents reoccupied the site the following day, prompting further police action and 16 arrests.

The police had mounted a military-style operation to keep the peace, closing the road running past the community farm with a force of 25 officers initially positioned at strategic positions around the site.

It was only then that the team of bailiffs employed by landowner Brian Bennett, were allowed to serve and execute the eviction order.

After the eviction a mechanical digger demolished a wooden watch tower and other buildings put up by the squatters during their three-and-a-half year stay.

A spokesman for the squatters said: "Today we were evicted, our crops destroyed and our homes burned.

“At no point was anyone shown paperwork or warrants. This action was not in the public interest.”

Mr Bennett, the landowner said that the cost of the eviction was met entirely by him and that the eviction was timed in order to cause minimal disruption to local residents.

He said: “Plans were put in place to ensure the Forest of Dean District Council offered alternative accommodation for the squatters, however this offer of housing was declined.