Appleby Horse Fair: Intelligence-led policing operation ahead of Appleby Horse Fair puts public safety first

Cumbria Constabulary is working tirelessly alongside partner agencies and forces as the 2025 Appleby Horse Fair approaches.

With the Fair three weeks away, policing measures are in place for before, during and after the 2025 event, with the aim of enhancing public safety at all stages.

Gold Police Commander for Appleby Horse Fair, Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin of Cumbria Police said: "The policing operation for each Appleby Horse Fair runs for 12 months. As soon as one Fair ends and everyone has headed home, the policing operation for the next Fair starts, beginning with the building of the intelligence picture.

"This extensive intelligence picture is built from what we learn from each Appleby Horse Fair policing operation, as well as the intelligence we gather from other forces - not just our neighbouring forces but police across the country and beyond.

"This intelligence picture is invaluable and drives the actions of our officers as they seek to make the Fair as safe as possible, including by targeting a minority of individuals who may seek to travel to Cumbria with criminal intent and spoil it for the vast majority. Police forces know who they are which is why we work so closely with them and take appropriate action on what they tell us."

This intelligence picture results in officers making contact with high-risk individuals around the country who are believed to be considering travelling to the Fair. These preventative, proactive steps often result in such people staying away from the county, entirely.

Det Supt St Quintin said: "Appleby Horse Fair is the biggest annual policing operation in Cumbria and those who attend will not walk far before seeing a police officer on patrol.

"Those people seeking to come to the Fair to enjoy themselves in a safe manner and not cause trouble have nothing to fear from the police.

"However, we will not hesitate to act against anyone from any community who comes to this event believing they can commit offences - as demonstrated by the significant number of arrests we have made at recent horse fairs."

Cumbria Police's priority for every Appleby Horse Fair is public safety, which includes maximising safety on the county's roads.

In 2024, the Appleby Horse Fair policing operation resulted in more than 100 arrests, with around a quarter of those related to road safety - primarily drink and drug drivers.

Det Supt St Quintin said: "We will once again be operating a stringent and robust roads policing operation before, during and after the 2025 Appleby Horse Fair, led by our dedicated Roads Policing Unit.

"Last year's proactive approach resulted in one of the safest fairs for road safety in living memory.

"So before you set off, make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and ensure there is zero possibility of yourself or the person driving the vehicle you are travelling in being over the limit for drink or drugs.

"Our officers will be stopping vehicles and carrying out quick, roadside drink and drug driving tests throughout the policing operation. Anyone who fails such a test can expect to be arrested and be taken into custody."

The dates for the 2025 Appleby Horse Fair are Thursday 5th June to Wednesday 11th June (with the main days being Thursday 5th, Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th June)