Residents of Elmbridge, Surrey, experienced significant disruption yesterday, as a large group of travellers and gypsies riding horse-drawn carts navigated through towns and villages, causing chaos that led to numerous interactions with local motorists and businesses. The incidents, which involved up to 100 horse carts, were characterised by reckless driving behaviour, including running through red lights and collisions with vehicles.
Witnesses described the situation as "mayhem," as the horse carts sped through various streets, forcing drivers to swerve in an attempt to avoid collisions. One local mother reported a frightening incident involving her children when a horse crashed into her car, highlighting the dangerous conditions that developed throughout the day. Another local voiced her frustration at being trapped in her village due to road closures instigated by the chaos, describing unruly behaviour including public urination and verbal abuse.
“At around 3pm, the group arrived at a village pub, creating a tumultuous atmosphere,” recounted a landlord who spoke to MailOnline on the condition of anonymity. According to him, the situation escalated quickly, with patrons pulling bottles off the shelves and damaging property inside the establishment. “They came behind the bar and pulled some spirit bottles off the shelves and then poured them on the floor and smashed the bottles,” he added. The landlord reported that the extensive disruption forced the pub to close temporarily in order to manage the aftermath of the incident.
The police responded to the situation by issuing a dispersal order for the Elmbridge area, empowering officers to remove groups of two or more people from the vicinity. This order is set to remain in effect until 3.55 pm today. Extra police patrols have been deployed to ensure the safety of residents following the disturbances.
In addition to the pub, reports indicate that the travellers visited several local drinking establishments, including the Watermans Arms in Hersham, though no significant issues were reported from that location. Nevertheless, the escalating incidents at the village pub have not occurred in isolation; the landlord mentioned that the pub had previously faced threats of a lawsuit from the travelling community for refusing service.
Witness accounts on social media added to the reports of disorder, with one individual commenting on the bizarre traffic situation caused by the horse-drawn carts, which were misrepresentative of typical horse racing events in the area. “If you are wondering why there is so much traffic around Sandown, it is due to the horse racing…but NOT the conventional horse racing you might expect,” he remarked.
Throughout the day, horses were left obstructing roads and pavements as the travelling group made their way through the affluent area known for its celebrity residents, which include notable football figures such as John Terry and Frank Lampard. The extent of the chaos raises questions about the regulatory challenges local authorities face when managing gatherings of this nature in residential areas.
Source: Noah Wire Services