Kenilworth mayor Coun Richard Davies has accused Warwickshire police of "inept" communications after failing to spread the word about a traveller event in Leek Wootton this weekend
Coun Davies has hit out after finding out about the Family Day of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History and Culture at police headquarters in Leek Wootton from a national newspaper.
He said: "I have had nothing on this at all and it wasn't until someo
ne from a national newspaper rang me up that I had heard anything about it.
"This is supposed to be for Kenilworth people too and yet we have heard nothing about it from police communications. They are totally inept and I wonder if publicising it late was their intention."
He added: "I would like to highlight the ludicrous anomaly of this situation wherein a clearly defined group of people descend upon the town, frighten many of the residents witless, enjoy some free nosh courtesy of our pubs and supermarkets and a year later get invited back by the police for an anniversary reunion party."
Coun Davies was referring to a Horse Fair held in Kenilworth in June last year, when an illegal camp was set up in Abbey Fields and a series of other incidents were reported to police.
The event, which forms part of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month, will take place this Saturday, June 27.
Assistant Chief Constable for Warwickshire Police, Bill Holland, who also heads up the Association of Chief Police Officers group that leads on gypsy and traveller issues, said: "This is set to be a really new and engaging event which we would welcome all members of our communities to attend.
"As well as having something on offer for everyone to enjoy, the event is a step in the right direction to improving relations between police and the travelling community.
"Unauthorised encampments have become a source of friction between police and gypsies and travellers. We know education is at the heart of some of these contentious issues.
"Hopefully this day will be the start of building relationships with the aim to better understanding and learning about the different cultures and societies we all live in."
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This is what I thinkThe free event at Woodcote House is open to everyone and will run from 10am to 4pm.
It will feature activities and displays including storytelling with Garth Cartwright and a traditional Roma band.
The event was publicised on the Warwickshire police website on Monday, June 22.
A spokesman at Warwickshire police press office said: "We did not have the information prior to Monday so could not have publicised it any sooner than we did."
