THIS year’s Appleby Horse Fairsaw arrests for fair-related alleged offending reach its highest level since 2014.

Police were forced to step up resources after an incident of disorder resulted in seven people being arrested on the Sands in the area of the Grapes pub, at about 4.30pm.

A father and two sons appeared in court accused of violent disorder after fighting broke out at the fair.

Bernard McGinley, 44, Cornelius McGinley, 22, and 19-year-old Barney McGinley jointly face three allegations following an incident in the town on Friday which resulted in several people suffering injuries.

One charge alleges violent disorder, and two other charges allege the assault of two different males – a father and his 14-year-old son – by beating.

The three defendants appeared separately in the dock at Carlisle’s magistrates’ court on August 16 to face the charges, to which they pleaded not guilty.

Bernard McGinley, of Gibbon Lane, Thorne, Doncaster; Cornelius McGinley and Barney McGinley, both of no fixed address; were remanded in custody by the magistrates. They are next due to appear at Carlisle Crown Court on September 14.

Police are also investigating a suspected sexual assault.

Cumbria Police was made aware via a third-party of a woman in her twenties on Bridge Street, near Lawrence’s Church, who was in distress.

Detectives from the North Crime and Safeguarding Team are engaging with the woman to establish the full details of any incident and provide support.

Other arrests involved alleged disqualified driving, breaching a dispersal order, breach of the peace and public order offences.

A Cumbria police spokesman issued a public appeal for any witnesses to Friday’s incident or those with video footage to come forward.

On Saturday, police then increased their resources and implemented a legal order giving officers enhanced stop and search powers.

Intelligence suggested people were planning to visit the fair intent on causing serious violence as part of what police said were “ongoing feuds between different groups”.

The public were also informed that armed officers were likely to be seen at the event.

A 16-year-old male also arrested on Friday also faces two counts of common assault and one count of violent disorder. He is due to appear in court next month.