EXCLUSIVE Record-breaking arrests at Appleby Horse Fair: Police detain 123 people for offences including drink-driving and punching a horse

Daily Mail​

4 hours ago

Police made a record-breaking number of arrests at the Appleby Horse Fair this year, including for drink-driving and even one a man who allegedly punched a horse.
Some 123 people were detained by Cumbria Constabulary at the annual gathering of gypsies and travellers this year, 80 of whom were for drink or drug driving offences.
Officers said they also issued 370 traffic offence report tickets during the event in Appleby-in-Westmorland, while 120 vehicles were seized - including those suspected of being stolen, used in a crime, causing an obstruction or driving without insurance.
The arrest total compares to 102 last year, and is the highest figure in records dating back more than 15 years - with the closest challenger year being 2009, with 106.
Out of the 123 arrests this year, 80 were made during the fair itself while the other 43 were in the weeks leading up to it as part of the overall policing operation.
The arrest total was also significantly up on the 42 in 2023, 18 in 2022 and 13 in 2021. There was no event in 2020 due to the pandemic - while going back further in the years between 2010 and 2019, there were between eight and 60 arrests each year.
Separately, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) made 372 interventions at this year's fair - down on 438 last year, but up on 288 in 2023.
This year the RSPCA issued 18 warnings; removed, treated and returned 14 equines to their owners; has two ongoing investigations; and is caring for six horses who were abandoned or are subject to investigations; and removed one wild caught bird.
In addition, two horses were put to sleep because they were ill, which the charity said was on veterinary advice and with the permission of their owner.
On Saturday, police arrested a man after a report of a horse having been punched.
Aidan Tomlinson, 22, of Pudsey, Leeds, was later charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was bailed to attend Carlisle Magistrates' Court on July 14.
Cumbria Police also arrested a woman in charge of a horse who had previously been disqualified from controlling animals. She was released under investigation whilst officers investigate.
Detective Superintendent Dan St Quintin, Gold Commander for the Appleby Horse Fair, said: 'My officers have once again been on the front-foot and proactive in their efforts to make this event as safe as we can for Gypsies and Travellers, local people and day visitors.
'The results of their efforts - and the goodwill of the vast majority of people in all communities - is fewer crimes recorded and a fair which has seen zero incidents of significant disorder or violent incidents.
'I would like to thank all communities for this, whilst also paying tribute to my officers for their outstanding work in recent days and weeks, during challenging circumstances, including the extremely wet weather we saw on Saturday.'
However Mr St Quintin said there was a 'concerning trend' in the number of drivers being stopped who are over the prescribed limit, particularly for drug driving.
He continued: 'The drink and drug driving arrests we have made have been split between people here for the fair and people not connected who were either travelling through or who live locally.
'Getting behind the wheel whilst unfit through drink or drugs is inexcusable and as people make their way home from the fair today, we will urge people to drive with caution whilst continuing to target drivers who are willing to put their own lives, the lives of their passengers and the lives of other road users at risk.'
Data on arrests each year was compiled by MailOnline from the annual 'Learning Lessons' report released by the Appleby Fair Multi-Agency Strategic Coordinating Group (MASCG), which was established in 2008.
Comparative figures are therefore not believed to be available before 2009.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Rob Melloy, who oversees the animal welfare operation, said: 'Our interactions with the Fairgoing community have been overwhelmingly positive and interventions, when they've been necessary, have been cordial.
'People may have seen something they're not happy with, if it has been reported to us it has been investigated by our staff.
'Whilst we did see tired horses, none of those who were exhaustion tested were so bad that they needed to be removed from their owners permanently. When they had rested, we were able to return them.'
Organisers said this year's event was 'one of the busiest in recent years', with a total of 1,307 caravans and bowtops in attendance - up on 1,287 last year but short of the record of 1,318 recorded in 2014.
The 2025 figures saw a drop in the number of traditional bowtops to 95, down from 112 in 2024.
There were 1,152 caravans, up from 1,078 in 2024, 46 tents and a further six vans, or wagons used as accommodation.
Meanwhile there was drop in the number of stalls at the fair this year with overall numbers at 231, including 25 food stalls.
This was down on the 268 recorded in 2024 and well below the 2016 record high of 276.
Steph Cordon, chair of the Appleby Fair MASCG, said: 'With poor weather forecast over the weekend of the Fair, which also coincided with the Epsom Derby, we did wonder if caravan and bowtop numbers might be lower this year.
'An initial reading of the count would suggest otherwise, but the recording of vehicles at the fair is now much more accurate using drone technology, so comparisons to previous years is not necessarily a helpful barometer.'
'I'm pleased that this year's fair has passed without any major incidents and I'd like to thank everyone involved in the response to the Fair, for their hard work and dedication in making sure that this was the case.'
Westmorland and Furness Council issued 21 penalty charge notices between the Monday and Wednesday before the fair and a further 53 during the four main days of the fair.
Gypsy and traveller representative Billy Welch, a member of the MASCG, said: 'It's been an absolutely wonderful fair. Everyone has enjoyed it and everything went like clockwork from the MASCG and from the police.
'Everybody is saying they had a really good time and the police and the MASCG did a brilliant job. We had the rough weather on Saturday but it's only one day so didn't spoil it. We've had far worse weather so it did not spoil anything.'
'We're already looking forward to next year's fair – starting the planning and looking at what can be tweaked and improved. I just want to thank everyone - we're really grateful – and wish everyone a safe journey home.'
It comes as a huge operation to clear fields of discarded rubbish began today as thousands of travellers headed home – with sofas, wooden furniture, bedding, food and toilet waste strewn across the picturesque countryside.
Appleby is billed as the biggest traditional traveller fair in Europe and takes place in the market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland every year.
Around 10,000 people from the gypsy and traveller community were expected to attend this year's event, outnumbering the local population of just 3,048 people.