Veteran Romani and Traveller rights activist raided by Essex Police

Above: Grattan Puxon at a Romani rights march earlier this year. He has campaigned for equal rights for Romanies and Travellers for over four decades.

DAMIAN LE BAS

Editor

ESSEX Police have carried out a seven hour search of the home of veteran Romani and Traveller rights campaigner Grattan Puxon and his wife.

In the early hours of this morning, officers of the special mobile force stationed at Boreham arrived- armed with tasers- in two minibuses and a police car.

A hired van arrived later, said Puxon, adding that "at least a dozen officers were involved."

He was subjected to a body search, and his wife was supervised by police whilst getting dressed.

Puxon has a history of non-violent activism on behalf of Romani and Traveller rights stretching back over four decades, during which time he has written many books on Romani history.

During this morning's raid, three computers, three mobile 'phones and a quantity of documents were removed from the small cottage in which he and his wife live.

"No explanation was offered by the police beyond saying an investigation is ongoing. No charges have been brought," he said, adding that officers who had been present during the eviction of Dale Farm two years ago were among those who arrived at his home.

Puxon has been a long-time friend and supporter of many of the Dale Farm Travellers. During today's search he was first told he could not leave his house, but at about 9am was allowed to leave to attend a doctor's appointment.

Travellers' Times contacted Essex Police for further information. The press office was closed at the time of going to press, but a police representative stated that they might not be able to provide any further information "because of issues of disclosure" .

Cambridgeshire Constabulary later told Travellers' Times that they did search a premises in Colchester "as part of the national operation into museum thefts", but did not confirm that it was Mr Puxon's home that was searched. They also confirmed that no arrests were made at that address.

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This article was amended at 16:23 on the 11th September 2013 in light of the response from Cambridgeshire Constabulary which is quoted in the final paragraph above.