COMMUNITY figures have condemned the ‘anti-social behaviour’ seen at this year’s postponed Appleby Horse Fair and said there are ‘lessons to be learned.’

The weekend saw several arrests resulting in Cumbria Police deploying armed police amid fears over feuding travellers fighting at the fair.

Superintendent Matt Kennerley, of Cumbria Police, thanked visitors to the historic event for their ‘patience and understanding’ and said: “There were periods during the weekend when it appeared there were significant numbers of people who were travelling to the area intent on causing trouble.

“This is unacceptable for the police, for the residents and for the majority of the Gypsy and Traveller community who wish for the fair to be violence-free, which is why we took the decision on Saturday to put in place a Section 60 order and deploy additional armed officers.”

Appleby’s mayor Councillor Gareth Hayes also thanked those responsible for supporting the event.

“Particular thanks go to the network of police, ambulance crews, RSPCA and the ‘tidy-up team’ of volunteers and council employees who worked tirelessly over the weekend,” he said.

“It is with great sadness that there has been a number of unsavoury events and anti-social behaviour throughout the town.

“This is totally unacceptable.

“Residents must be assured that every voice is heard as the multi-agency teams work determinedly towards securing a well-protected, safe town.”

Robert Docherty, assistant director of communities at Eden District Council, said: “For a variety of reasons this has been a difficult and challenging fair for everyone involved, not least because of the understandable concerns people continue to have regarding coronavirus.

“While we understood the demands from some quarters for people to be stopped from coming to Appleby this summer, the reality was that no such powers existed to do so.

“There are certainly lessons to be learnt this year.”