Police issue dispersal order to early arrivals riding horses and sulkies in Appleby

Police have acted in Appleby today (22 May) after reports of people riding at speed with horse and sulkies on The Sands.

In response, a Section 34 Dispersal Order has been put in place for 48 hours, making it an offence to continue to behave in such a way.

Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, Gold Commander for Appleby Horse Fair said: “It is unacceptable and we will not tolerate people travelling into the town, two weeks ahead of the horse fair, and racing horses and sulkies.

“At this stage it would appear that those responsible are from Cumbria. Officers have engaged with them, told them that it is not acceptable and informed them that they risk arrest if they do not abide by the terms of the dispersal order.

“We will not hesitate to use dispersal order powers again if people believe such actions so far ahead of the fair are acceptable.”