Barnard Castle’s county councillor is calling for the town to have a dedicated police officer because of anti-social behaviour during the annual traveller migration.
Cllr Chris Foote-Wood says rowdiness was particularly prevalent over the bank holiday weekend when horses were brought into town and tethered to lampposts.
He added that a number of residents and shopkeepers had complained about the issue.
Cllr Foote-Wood said: “On the Saturday, in particular, it was unpleasant to walk through the town centre, resulting in a drop in trade for some businesses. A window at a local coffee shop was broken.
“That was upsetting to visitors who have a right to be able to shop in the town and enjoy its facilities in peace, but no police were in evidence. There was horse muck on the pavement.”
He added residents had complained about threatening behaviour, verbal abuse, carts causing traffic and parking problems and piles of horse manure left on the streets.
A shopkeeper, who did not want to be named, called the non-emergency police number on Friday afternoon and was initially told it was not a police matter and it should be reported to the county council.
However, a policeman did later visit his premises and said no law is broken by having a horse tethered to a lamppost.
The shopkeeper said: “What gets me is if I let my dog muck on the pavement it is an offence.”
He added that a number of businesses lost trade on the weekend. He said: “My turnover was drastically down on Saturday because people don’t want to go out because it is intimidating.”
Cllr Foote-Wood said the problem is that Barnard Castle Police are linked to Crook and Willington, nearly ten miles away, as well as upper and lower Teesdale.
He said: “Every town should have its own dedicated police officer. The amount of time the PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) have in Barnard Castle has been reduced. This must be restored.”
Cllr Foote-Wood has since been in touch with Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen to request the town has its own dedicated police officer.
A police spokesman said: “In Barnard Castle we have two dedicated police officers, four PCSOs, sergeant and inspector in the neighbourhood team. Like other areas across County Durham and Darlington, these officers are supported during peaks of demand.”
Barnard Castle Neighbourhood Police Team’s inspector is in charge of Teesdale, Weardale and Crook, while its sergeant and two PCs cover not just the town, but all of the surrounding Teesdale villages. Evenwood, Etherley and Toft Hill, however, are covered by Bishop Auckland Neighbourhood Police team.
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