Statement After Illegal Encampment Ahead Of Festival

There are calls for better plans to be put in place after an illegal encampment prior to the start of a religious festival for members of the gipsy and traveller community at Market Harborough showground.

People in several caravans moved onto the green area on the Wellington Place estate on Friday afternoon, before heading to the event early on Saturday.

The event at Market Harborough Showground Pic: Clive Mason

Around 3,000 people are attending the Light and Life Church Convention week, after it returned to Market Harborough for a third year.

County councillor David Page (Market Harborough West & Foxton) attended the scene of the illegal encampment and liaised with agencies, including Police and Leicestershire County Council’s multi-agency traveller unit (MATU).

He reported via social media that a district council officer appeared to give verbal permission for the group to remain on the Harvest Road site, provided there was no disruption.

However, this has been refuted by the council.

Two serious incidents over the weekend, in which one man turned up at Market Harborough Police Station with a stab wound and two other men arrived at St Luke’s Hospital with serious injuries have not been linked to the festival by Leicestershire Police, however officers say establishing whether there is any connection is forming part of each separate, ongoing investigation.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of the Council, read a statement on behalf of HDC at a council meeting this evening: