Strategy to combat Appleby Horse Fair problems revealed (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Strategy to combat Appleby Horse Fair problems revealed

5:10pm Tuesday 9th March 2010

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THE detail of a policing strategy to combat crime and anti-social behaviour by Appleby Horse Fair travellers has been revealed at a packed public meeting in Sedbergh.

Senior officers and Cumbria County Council officials said they were planning a cohesive, high visibility approach to law and order in the run up to this year’s fair in June.

Last year, anti-social behaviour attributed to gipsies and travellers sparked a number of complaints from local residents after fairgoers began assembling in South Lakeland from May 9.

Criticisms included a poor police presence along the traditional traveller route into Eden and the lack of a strategy to combat trespassing by travellers.

Several landowners complained of being subjected to abuse after tackling travellers about grazing horses in fields without permission.

At the Sedbergh meeting last Thursday, chaired by Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron, the police and Cumbria County Council confirmed a number a new measures were being put in place to counter the problems.

The council said it would impose strict new highways controls along the length of Cautley Road to prevent a repeat of last year’s inappropriate encampments while the travellers awaited permission to enter Eden. These would be published locally and throughout the traveller community.

Meanwhile, Cumbria Police said it would increase the police presence in Sedbergh and Cautley, including a team of detectives, to prevent abuses and reassure residents.

"There would also be a 24-hour telephone number residents can ring if they had any concerns.

Cumbria’s assistant chief constable Jerry Graham, who will lead the policing operation for this year’s fair, said: “We have listened to the concerns of our communities following last year’s event and from a policing perspective. Our approach to this year’s fair will be different. Instead of planning for the event in traditional north, south or west policing divisions, from June 4 to June 7, Cumbria Constabulary will create a ‘virtual’ policing area to ensure that we reach out to each and every community that is affected in one way, shape or form by Appleby Fair.

“This will mean we manage resources centrally so that our communities receive the same high level of service – regardless of where you are in the county. Whether you live in South Lakeland or in Eden, you can expect to see a high-visibility policing presence and receive a proportionate policing response to concerns or issues surrounding the fair.”

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