TORY MP John Baron has demanded Roger Baker, the Chief Constable of Essex, acts over Basildon's slave labour scandal exposed by the Echo.

Last month, we revealed some travellers were recruiting homeless and vulnerable people, as young as 16, and using them for cheap labour, known as dossers.

We also reported in some cases they were mistreated, beaten and held against their will.

Mr Baron was stunned by the revelations and has now written to Mr Baker, the Home Office and Essex Social Services, calling for thorough probes.

In a letter to Mr Baker, he wrote: "During three days, the Echo ran articles revealing the extent to which local traveller groups are apparently exploiting many vulnerable people at the margin of society as slave labour, which includes being forced to commit crime.

"This practice is not the mark of a civilised society.

"Would you now please instigate an immediate and thorough investigation into this matter? I will also be raising this issue in Parliament once it reconvenes."

Mr Baker confirmed he had received the letter.

But he would only say: "It is being reviewed and a response will be sent in due course to Mr Baron."

Police have still to make a decision on whether they will investigate the Echo's findings.

Insp Mark Wheeler, of Basildon Police, said: "We are looking at the information the Echo has provided and a detective is reviewing it.

"Many of the cases are historical and have already been investigated by us. But if there is any evidence that can be followed up, then we will."

Meanwhile, Hovefields Residents' Association, which is made up of settled residents living alongside illegal homes at the Hovefields site, Wickford, has written to social services, police, Gordon Brown and the RSPCA.

Members have asked Mr Baron to arrange a meeting with himself, the association and Essex Police about the issue.

Our expose included the story of a homeless ex-con who was a dosser at Hovefields for three months.

He said he fed cockerels and dogs and attended cock and dogfights.

Association member Jenny Mace has also written to the RSPCA urging an investigation. She has rescued two injured cockerels at the site, including one which had an eye gouged out.

She wrote: "We have repeatedly seen cockerels on one of the traveller plots.

"We have had to endure dogs howling and barking most of the night.

"I have seen yet another pack of dogs roaming around scavenging.

"Please can you get together with the relevant authorities to stop these atrocities."