Armed swoop in Wickford after man is battered with a hammer (From Basildon Recorder)

Armed swoop in Wickford after man is battered with a hammer

6:00pm Tuesday 23rd June 2009

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ARMED police swooped on a traveller camp after a man was battered with a hammer and threatened with a gun by carjackers.

Police blocked off Hovefields Avenue, Wickford, as they scoured the illegal site and surrounding area for the robbery suspects using the force helicopter and dog units.

Earlier, the victim was viciously attacked outside the Sealife Adventure, Southend, before thugs drove off in his blue BMW.

The drama unfolded at about 8.30pm on Sunday, after the victim agreed to meet two potential buyers for his car.

By 9pm terrified residents said Hovefields was “crawling” with armed police searching any vehicles coming in or out.

Police tracked the suspects to the camp where police dogs were used to search a house opposite the Jet service station on the A127.

A neighbour, who would not be named for fear of reprisals, said: “The helicopter was so low we thought it would land in the garden.

“Cars entering and leaving Hovefields were searched. There were about 15 officers with rifles. It was terrifying. They arrested someone at the petrol garage.”

Another local said armed police also sealed off Meadow Way, behind Hovefields.

A third added: “About seven burly police with guns came back at about 2am to search one of the traveller plots.

“The owners were blocking their way with a woman calling them every name under the sun.

“But they got through and searched caravans and vehicles and took away a red BMW 55 on the back of a low loader.”

The car is undergoing forensic examination.

Four people were arrested and were interviewed at Southend police station.

A 29-year-old woman and 16-year-old boy from the site were being held on suspicion of possessing a firearm, while a 27-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle.

When officers returned at 2am a 50-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of car theft.

Essex Police spokesman Bill Stock said: “Detectives are appealing for information over an attack in Southend in which a man was robbed of his car.

“The man had arranged to meet two prospective buyers of his car near the Sealife Adventure, but he has told police they took it by force.

“Detectives want to hear from anyone who saw the attack or has seen the stolen blue BMW, registration number DY58 UWR, which is still missing.”

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