The picture perfect UK town where 'locals are terrified into silence' during yearly event
Some residents prefer leaving town altogether to avoid the "horror" brought into their homes during a centennial event where thousands of people flock to the village.
The market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland is a charming village nestled at the head of the Eden Valley.
But every year locals are forced to brace for potential chaos and mayhem as the historical Appleby Horse Fair rolls into town.
The small Cumbrian parish, which regularly homes a little over 3,000 souls, is transformed into a commercial hub as Romanis and Travellers from all over the country flock in alongside an estimated 30,000 curious visitors to do business.
But the once joyful occasion has evolved into a terrifying bash marred by claims of anti-social behaviour, violence and drug-taking according to police.
Last year, local police reported 42 arrests during the fair which culminated in tragedy as a 15-year-old, Denis Ward, died after falling out of a moving vehicle.
A long-time Appleby resident, who didn't give her name out of fear of retribution, told the Daily Mail: "It's not like it used to be.
"The travellers used to respect the locals and if they saw any trouble they'd stop it themselves. Now it's turned from a horse fair to a holiday. There's rubbish, noise, fast cars and total disrespect for the locals."
Those willing to speak out have been warned they face the risk of an unpleasant surprise in their letterboxes. Residents widely testified rowdy visitors would squirt urine in the boxes in retaliation to complaints.
The situation has grown so dire in recent years that businesses have opted to shut down altogether during the week, boarding up railings to prevent horses from being tethered.
Greengrocers Ashley said he'd be shutting down his shop at midday during the fair to deliver to elderly residents too scared to step into town.
A strong, middle-aged man, he admitted he doesn't "feel safe most of the time", and already had issues with some Roma throwing glass bottles at his shop.
DON'T MISS:
Alicante's hidden gem town has sandy beaches and turquoise waters [LATEST]
Town that spent thousands to fight rude tourists quickly finds hole in plan [ANALISYS]
Pretty crime riddled English town where its unsafe to walk home at night [EXCLUSIVE]
Some locals even opted to spend the week of the Appleby Horse Fair away from town altogether to avoid the chaos.
One woman said: "I know it doesn't start for a week but I'm also anxious that we've decided to get away already."
Horses aren't technically supposed to enter the town until the fair begins but one week before the event started, Appleby's town centre was already teeming with horses and sulkies despite the appeal of Shera Rom ("Head Gypsy") Billy Welch.
Not all residents, however, dread the arrival of the fair. Valerie, 87, was rather sanguine about it all, noting she only had two incidents in over 13 years of living in Appleby.
Once, the dog of a visiting gipsy bit her hand: "The owner couldn't have been more apologetic." Then, a few years later, she was forced to jump into someone's garden to avoid a horse shield.
Cumbria Constabulary said the fair is its "biggest policing operation of the year" and security is a priority – however, it won't disclose how many officers are usually involved with policing the Appleby Horse Fair.
