Police work with Harrogate community as travellers leave school field
The group of travellers arrived over the weekend
Last updated 7th Sep 2021
Travellers who parked on a school field in Harrogate have moved on following intervention by Harrogate’s Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Officers worked with Ashville College, local authorities and the travelling community after the group arrived in the early hours of Saturday.
They have also been working with land owners, including the council, to ensure security is maintained at other potential sites around the district.
The school had previously said it had commenced court proceedings to evict the travellers, which are believed to be the same group which arrived last month.
They group had told school staff they were on their way to a wedding in Ireland after attending the annual Appleby Horse Fair. However, the travellers said if the school paid them £5000 they would be prepared to leave immediately without causing any damage.
They also said they would increase the length of their stay and implied they would invite other members of the travelling community to join them if no money was sent over.
Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne said: “Communication is key in resolving community matters such as this, which can cause tensions on all sides if they are not managed properly.
“By working closely with all concerned as well as the wider local community, we’ve been able to help deliver a relatively swift resolution and prevent any further disruption.”