Police have been accused of using strong-arm tactics by protesters in Sandy Lane who are fighting a luxury housing development.

Officers from Toller Lane Police escorted Bradford Council officials to Acacia Drive when they towed away two caravans used by campaigners.

The caravans had been placed at the two entrances to the greenfield development site at the end of Acacia Drive and Aspen Rise.

Residents have lost their long battle against the housing plan, which has been granted planning permission by Bradford Council.

But they have vowed to carry on fighting developers Bryant Homes using direct action-style tactics, borrowed from treetop eco-campaigns.

The caravans had been left in the road and have been towed away by Bradford Council.

But residents were unhappy at the fact that Council officers arrived flanked by police.

Mike Hallam, a leading protester, said: "Police came in a black Maria and we feel they went over the top."

The Council took the caravans back to a Council depot in Bradford - despite intervention from local woman Jean Jones who was at the scene and told officers the caravans could go in her driveway.

"I told them to put the caravans in my drive or in my garden, but they wouldn't listen," she said.

A police spokesman said: "The Council made us aware of the situation and we were present to ensure there were no breaches of the peace or disruption."

A spokesman for Bradford Council's cleansing department said: "Two caravans were removed from the site entrance and taken to the cleansing depot in Harris Street.

"Notices were served on owners over a week ago informing them that they had seven days to move the caravans. They were moved under statutory duties to keep the highways clear.

"If the legal owners of the caravans wish to get their property back, they should contact the cleansing department."

Meanwhile, Marsha Singh MP, who is backing the protesters, is writing to Yorkshire Water to demand what authority it has to carry out a site survey of the back garden of a home in Acacia Drive tomorrow.

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