Residents in a Yorkshire Dales community feel let down by police after officers failed to respond to reports of anti-social behaviour involving travellers en route to Appleby, a meeting was told.
Skipton and Ripon area committee was told that problems had occurred in Ingleton after travellers stopped in the town while making their way to the annual horse fair.
David Ireton, member for the Bentham and Ingleton division, said details of issues were discussed at Ingleton Parish Council on Monday evening.
He said: “There was members of the public who were saying they’d had a lot of trouble with the travelling people going up to Appleby on the industrial estate — threatening behaviour, antisocial behaviour and actual physical contact had been made.
“They said they’d rung the police and had had no response from them, and there’s been no follow-up action to take any statements from them to see what had gone on.”
He added: “They’re feeling very let down by the police because they’ve been left to deal with the incident themselves.
“We do understand the pressure you’re under and the lack of members of the force, but it could have boiled into a very nasty incident.”
It is understood that pallets had been set on fire and there had been confrontations with local business owners.
Firefighters were called at least twice last week after pallets had been set on fire on the industrial estate near businesses.
Chief Inspector Simon Williamson, county commander for neighbouring policing, told the meeting at the North Yorkshire Council offices in Skipton that he would look into the issue.
Carl Lis, clerk of Ingleton Parish Council, told the Local Democracy reporting Service that they were hoping to work with local police to understand why there was no response.
Appleby Horse Fair runs until June 10.
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And we are surprised because….?