AN MP is arranging crisis talks following the latest armed incident at Hovefields traveller camp.

Tory John Baron will also address revelations about a family from the illegal camp getting legal aid to try to stay in a caravan, despite owning a £230,000 house in the area, as revealed by the Echo last week.

Mr Baron is responding to calls from Hovefields Residents’ Association, which wants action over Saturday’s shooting, in which four caravans were blasted by shotguns.

The association also wants an investigation into the granting of legal aid.

The meeting, yet to be arranged, is expected to involve police, council representatives and residents.

It has now emerged Basildon Council was alerted to Cathrine McCann, the traveller claiming legal aid, buying the five-bedroom house in Hovefields Avenue, several months ago, but took no action.

Council spokesman Chris Johnson was unable to comment.

Mr Baron said: “Police tell me crime in the area is decreasing, but gun incidents such as this are unacceptable. I want to know what the police are doing to prevent further incidents.

“I am inquiring with the Legal Services Commission as to what it proposes doing about legal aid.”

Police have yet to establish a motive for Saturday’s shooting and no arrests have been made.

Essex Police spokesman Bill Stock said: “Inquiries are ongoing.”

There have been a number of gun incidents at Hovefields since illegal plots were developed.

l In February 2004 three bloodied travellers burst into the Jet service station with gunshot wounds to the head and chest following a shooting. Three men were charged with attempted murder, but the case collapsed at court.

l In March 2005 armed police blocked off Hovefields Avenue after men in a Transit van drove on to the site firing shotguns.

l Last October, a man charged over the 2004 attempted murder was arrested after throwing a handgun into bushes at Hovefields following a fight in Runwell. He was released without charge.