Travellers thought to be linked to The Christian Festival at Oakham Showground attempted to break into the shower block at Oakham Gymnastic Club at Oakham Enterprise Park. The Club has now closed for safety
Oakham Gymnastic Club Say:
Cancelled sessions
Unfortunately due to an incident this afternoon whereby individuals tried to gain access to the building whilst a class was in session we have taken the difficult decision to cancel tonight's classes as we are unable to remain covid safe when the building has to go into a full lockdown we will keep you updated as the week goes on as you can imagine we do this with a heavy heart considering the amount of time we have already missed this last year, we thank you for your support at this time and would like to thank Rutland Police in for their prompt attendance.
Life and Light Christian Mission Church Festival For Travellers Rutland County Showground Oakham Rutland Leicestershire Police have arrested people in Oakham
Supt Adam Slonecki, from Specialist Support:
‘Due to a number of incidents that have occurred in the Oakham area
we have made a number of arrests and will continue to progress enquires.
We would like to thank the local community for their continued support.”
Inside the venue there many stewards who are ensuring
everything thing is fine inside.
There are many Covid notices
at the 6.30pm service a independent person spoke
giving out Covid advice .
Above is John a traveller who kindly invited me to visit his home
for tea made by his wife Mary.
Whilst sitting outside a very smart caravan
John told me he has been a true Christian for 40 years after
leaving the Church of England. He also explained how
other members of the travelling community don't like the
Christian Travellers.
Our Oakham Police Officer Joe Lloyd assisting with
traffic management as hundred of cars attempt to leave the venue.
There is a service planned for 6.30pm each evening
until Thursday and all are welcome.
The preacher said God had sent him to save travellers and others
He also mentioned a local problem, he had seen young people
using balloons to inhale the gases from the
ever popular little silver canisters.
Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland Says:
I’m deeply saddened and frankly disgusted by the criminal behaviour reported around Oakham and Barleythorpe over the last 24 hours.
I’ve spent yesterday evening and this morning speaking to the Showground, Police, RCC and our Police and Crime Commissioner to make our concerns known. We are working together to support and protect residents.
I’ve requested a significant increase in police presence. I’ve also asked what measures are in place if we see continued breaches of COVID restrictions from attendees of the event.
The Police increased their presence yesterday evening, and today an increased police presence from Leicestershire will be supporting residents and visiting businesses to understand what they witnessed or experienced yesterday and concerns they have so that policing can meet those needs.
If you witness a crime, it is very important that you please report it using 101, or 999 if an emergency. An event like this can only be closed down if it breaches COVID regulations consistently or if continued criminality takes place.
COVID rules allow the holding of outdoor events of 4,000 people or 50% capacity of the Showground to currently go ahead. However, the criminality by a minority of attendees that has taken place in our community around the event is unacceptable. And I understand fully why residents are angry that other events have been cancelled.
I don’t want to see our hard work to protect our communities from COVID-19 in any way put at risk, and it is unacceptable for our wonderful and welcoming community to face criminality as has been seen on videos and reported to police.
I want to see an immediate end to the intimidation and criminality too many residents have witnessed, and I will continue to keep the pressure on to achieve this however I can.
