Police Make Further Arrests and Seize More Suspected Stolen Caravans

Police Make Further Arrests and Seize More Suspected Stolen Caravans

Officers from Cumbria Police were in Melmerby on Wednesday morning as part of further enquiries into suspected stolen vehicles. Following a number of vehicles been recovered over the past week and arrests in connection with suspected stolen vehicles.

The officers on Wednesday took enforcement action, seizing two suspected caravans and one vehicle suspected of having been used in crime.

In addition, they arrested a man in his 20s from Newcastle on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said Wednesday “efforts took a considerable amount of resource and time so thank you to those in the vicinity for your patience whilst our officers carried out their work.”

“We will continue to take enforcement action wherever we suspect criminality has occurred – whether it was here in Cumbria or elsewhere.”

Over the Weekend three men aged in their 40s, two from the Kent area and one from Hartlepool were arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and were subsequently bailed with conditions including not to re-enter Cumbria.

on Saturday (1 June) police seized a further three caravans suspected of having been stolen outside of the county.

On Sunday (2 June), officers seized a motorhome, a van and three trailers suspected of being stolen.

Superintendent Dan St Quintin, Police Gold Commander for the Appleby Horse Fair, said: “The arrests we have made have been intelligence-led and aimed at targeting a small minority so that the vast majority of law-abiding people who are intending to come to the county to enjoy the Fair positively can do so.

“The enforcement action we have taken so far in collaboration with our partners has been significant and we can assure the public that we will continue to act against anyone who commits criminal offences – whether here in Cumbria or elsewhere in the country.”

On the May 25th officers arrested two men and seized four caravans and on the May 27th a man in his 30s was arrested as officers seized a caravan and two transit vans - 

The action taken by the police and partners has been supported in a statement by Gypsy and Traveller representatives, Billy Welch and Bill Lloyd.

They said: “Cumbria Police have used good intelligence, modern technology and pro-active policing to identify and recover a significant number of stolen caravans.  

“Some people have been quick to claim on social media that these pro-active police actions are heavy-handed harassment and persecution. We disagree. The Gypsy and Traveller representatives disassociate themselves from those comments. That is not our opinion, and we fully support this police action.

“We know nothing about the people found in possession of the stolen caravans, but that does not matter. Whilst investigations are on-going, we understand that some of the people affected – who were not arrested - had purchased their caravans innocently, not knowing that they were stolen, and they were themselves victims.  

“We advise people to be very careful when buying a caravan – it easy to get scammed.  It is unfortunate for anyone who finds out that they have bought a stolen caravan, but Police were simply doing their job. The recoveries were carried out calmly and with no trouble, and with the full co-operation of those affected.

“We believe that all law-abiding people who are the majority visitors to the Fair will have no complaint about this action, whether they are Romani Gypsies, ‘weekend Gypsies’, or horse lovers, adventurous holiday makers, or day visitors from the settled community.  

“However, anyone who knowingly brings stolen property to Appleby Fair deserves what they get. It is their own fault, and they will get no sympathy from us.  

“Appleby Fair is a horse fair, and an ancient event with great cultural significance. It attracts all sorts of people, the majority of whom are not Gypsies.  The priority of the Gypsy and Traveller representatives is to preserve the reputation of the Fair so that it can continue for our children and grandchildren and future generations.  

“We have never tried to defend or condone criminality of any description and we never will, which is why we congratulate the Police on their good intelligence and the smooth and efficient recovery operations.”