Shocking footage showed hundreds of travellers furiously attacking each other before armed officers were called in to break up the carnage in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. Today Cumbria Police said in a statement: “On Friday (13 Aug) police made seven arrests following disorder on The Sands in Appleby.
“Four have now been charged.
“Barney McGinley, 19, of no fixed address, Cornelius McGinley, 22, of no fixed address and Bernard McGinley, 44, of Gibbon Lane, Thorne, Doncaster, have each been charged with two counts of assault by beating and one count of violent disorder.
“They have all been remanded in police custody to attend court tomorrow (16 Aug).
“A 16-year-old, of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of common assault and one count of violent disorder. He is due in court on 21 September, 2021.”
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Footage shows crowds of screaming men, women and children surrounding brawling rivals as they frantically throw punches at one another.
Footage showed men fighting as horrified women and children looked on.
One brawler could be seen repeatedly punching a man in the head in front of terrified horses.
Other fights can be seen erupting along the road at the festival for the start of the annual fair which sees travellers sell horses and celebrate their culture.
He added: “Anyone who is seeking to come to the Fair to act violently is no friend to those of us – including Appleby people and the Gypsy and Traveller people – who wish for the Horse Fair to be an enjoyable and safe environment for all.”
Superintendent Kennerley added how the strict Section 60 powers “will help our officers to keep people safe” in the town over the weekend.
Kennerley went on to say: “The police have information that there are a number of groups intending to travel to Appleby Horse Fair this weekend intent on causing serious violence as part of on-going feuds between different groups.
“This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The fair is an annual gathering for Gypsy, Romany and travelling communities and is billed as the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe.
