GARGRAVE parish councillors have expressed disappointment at the scaling down of a hoped-for police-led strategy to cope with any possible issues with the travelling community heading to this year's Appleby Horse Fair.

After last year, when more than 30 gypsies and travellers with around 20 horses and vehicles stopped off in the village during the late May Bank Holiday weekend, it was agreed a strategy was the best way forward for future years.

A busy parish council meeting in June last year heard of anti-social behaviour on the village greens by some travellers which left some residents feeling intimidated and calling 999, and the need for skips afterwards to clear up all the rubbish left behind. Some of the travellers stay on the greens for longer than just overnight, and stop off again on their way back, heard the meeting.

There was also a suggestion that the village worked with the travellers, in a similar way to Hawes, which reportedly worked well; and talks of providing temporary toilets, although that was ruled out because of difficulties getting contractors.

Sgt Paul Evans, who attended the meeting, said that police response had not been adequate over the late bank holiday weekend and suggested a strategy with police working with the parish council, the community, North Yorkshire Council and hopefully, a gypsy liaison officer.

At its meeting last month, the parish council expressed concern that there was still to be a meeting with police ahead of this year's fair, which is due to take place between June 6 and June 12, with travellers expected to arrive in Gargrave in late May as they make their way up the A65 towards Cumbria.

A group of councillors have since met with Sgt Evans, but were disappointed to learn that the village would not get the amount of support, if needed, that it wanted.

At Wednesday's meeting of the parish council, chair, Stephen Coetzer, said it would be up to a working group of councillors and residents to form a strategy that could then be shared with the police. He added that if there was any issues this year, the council would be able to contact Skipton Police station directly, instead of being put through to the call centre.

Cllr Coetzer said the traditional travellers with bow-top caravans had been stopping off in the village for years, and generally stayed three days to rest their horses; it was others who arrived in pick-ups and caravans who usually caused issues.