We know that many residents have been as disappointed as we are that an unauthorised encampment has continued to occupy and spread its anti-vaccination message on Hackney Downs.

We have worked through the legal process as quickly as possible and our case has now been submitted to the courts. The papers have been served on the defendants and our hearing date has been confirmed as 11.30 am on Thursday 12 August 2021 in person at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London WC2A 2LL.

The group has made ongoing demands on our resources, as our Parks and Green Spaces team and Enforcement teams continue to join the police in regularly patrolling the area.

To be clear, the position of Hackney Council is that we continue to proceed with great caution in relation to the coronavirus pandemic. Please continue to wear masks if you are able, and help protect those who haven’t been fully vaccinated yet. We continue to encourage everyone to visit the nine vaccination sites we have set up in Hackney, and take up the walk-in appointments available in local pharmacies, clinics and community venues.

Evidence to date demonstrates that two doses of a vaccine provides effective protection from serious illness, hospitalisations and deaths. It is vital, especially in light of recent central Government policy to remove restrictions on how and where people meet, that the Council, Clinical Commissioning Group and stakeholders can continue to deliver equal, free access to vaccinations and that the public are not misled by scientifically and factually incorrect information at this crucial time.