Thousands of travellers cause chaos after flocking to Oakham for a Pentecostal Christian event

Thousands of travellers have sparked a second day of chaos after descending on a historic market town in England's smallest county. Around 1,500 gypsies have flocked to the Rutland Showground in Oakham for a mass Pentecostal Christian event, called the festival of Light and Life.But over the weekend residents reported mayhem in the quaint town - with drag racing, shop looting and antisocial behaviour forcing some local businesses to close. Today (Mon) residents told how they had spent a second day locked down in their own homes as they were too terrified to leave. Schools even advised children not to walk alone for their own safety after the town became "over-run" by travellers causing "absolute carnage."A nearby McDonald's remained closed this morning with police stood at the entrance following reports youths terrorised staff and diners over the weekend. One group of teenagers were seen running amok and jumping on car bonnets on the car park of a nearby GP garage and Aldi supermarket, which has stayed open. Local businessman Carl Ford, 55, said most smaller firms were forced to close their doors and residents were avoiding the town due to "fears for their safety." He said: "The last 24 hours have been absolute carnage.

They have been running amok and showing no respect for our town. "On top of antisocial behaviour I can't imagine how many Covid breaches there have been. "They are packing in to tents like sardines and with the latest strain it is very worrying."They were all racing up the Oakham bypass.

It was like a race track up there last night.

I've seen some police but not enough, they look out of control to me."People are not coming into town over fears for their own safety.

The police have mostly let it all happen, they are outnumbered."Another local, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's been a nightmare.

Our town has been over-run and they are leaving a lot of mess in the process. "I can't fathom how this event has been allowed to go ahead.

It just beggars belief the authorities haven't close this down already."I'm sure most of them are behaving but a minority have been causing mayhem and something needs to be done about it. "I'm scared to leave my own home and nobody should ever be made to feel like that."Another elderly resident added: "It has been incredibly noisy here the last few days. "I know there's been issues especially at the McDonald's which is only a two-minute walk away. "It has made me feel uneasy and a bit scared especially as I usually go walking with my child in a pushchair. "We've not had any anti social behaviour up here which I'm very grateful for but it's definitely making me and my family feel uneasy."Alica Kerns, Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, said on social media she was working with the police and local council to clamp down on any further issues. She said: "Last night there were more unacceptable disturbances and further intimidation of our community. "There were a number of arrests yesterday at the Rutland Showground.

Today I am focused on working on solutions to: "Tackle the unacceptable noise levels.

It is not acceptable that those at the showground are playing loud music after 11pm."Stop the racing on Oakham Bypass.

Racing on public highways is a crime and I want a constant police presence on the bypass."Secure support for our businesses who should feel safe to remain open.

Too many felt they had to close yesterday and today.

The abuse of shop workers is appalling.  "Ensure the enhanced Police presence is maintained.

As I've been clear with Police, we need preemptive, and strong, policing at all times, especially evenings. "I want the enhanced police units and drone unit maintained."I will continue to demand more protections for us all and will continue to liaise with the Police, Council and our Police and Crime Commissioner." In a statement, the Rutland Agricultural Society, which owns the showground ,said it was aware the event was "causing disturbance to our neighbours".They said: "We wholeheartedly apologise for this [disturbance]. "We agreed to the booking after assessing the organisers risk assessment and with the belief that this was an event primarily about Christian worship."However there is a minority of people who are disrupting the event and causing significant problems in and around the showground."Our priority is to help maintain public order and minimise disruption and allow the event to refocus on its Christian worship as quickly and quietly as possible."We have been in contact with the police who have been onsite today." 

Thousands of travellers have sparked a second day of chaos after descending on a historic market town in England's smallest county.

Around 1,500 gypsies have flocked to the Rutland Showground in Oakham for a mass Pentecostal Christian event, called the festival of Light and Life.But over the weekend residents reported mayhem in the quaint town - with drag racing, shop looting and antisocial behaviour forcing some local businesses to close.

Today (Mon) residents told how they had spent a second day locked down in their own homes as they were too terrified to leave.

Schools even advised children not to walk alone for their own safety after the town became "over-run" by travellers causing "absolute carnage."A nearby McDonald's remained closed this morning with police stood at the entrance following reports youths terrorised staff and diners over the weekend.

One group of teenagers were seen running amok and jumping on car bonnets on the car park of a nearby GP garage and Aldi supermarket, which has stayed open.

Local businessman Carl Ford, 55, said most smaller firms were forced to close their doors and residents were avoiding the town due to "fears for their safety." He said: "The last 24 hours have been absolute carnage.

They have been running amok and showing no respect for our town.

"On top of antisocial behaviour I can't imagine how many Covid breaches there have been.

"They are packing in to tents like sardines and with the latest strain it is very worrying."They were all racing up the Oakham bypass.

It was like a race track up there last night.

I've seen some police but not enough, they look out of control to me."People are not coming into town over fears for their own safety.

The police have mostly let it all happen, they are outnumbered."Another local, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's been a nightmare.

Our town has been over-run and they are leaving a lot of mess in the process.

"I can't fathom how this event has been allowed to go ahead.

It just beggars belief the authorities haven't close this down already."I'm sure most of them are behaving but a minority have been causing mayhem and something needs to be done about it.

"I'm scared to leave my own home and nobody should ever be made to feel like that."Another elderly resident added: "It has been incredibly noisy here the last few days.

"I know there's been issues especially at the McDonald's which is only a two-minute walk away.

"It has made me feel uneasy and a bit scared especially as I usually go walking with my child in a pushchair.

"We've not had any anti social behaviour up here which I'm very grateful for but it's definitely making me and my family feel uneasy."Alica Kerns, Tory MP for Rutland and Melton, said on social media she was working with the police and local council to clamp down on any further issues.

She said: "Last night there were more unacceptable disturbances and further intimidation of our community.

"There were a number of arrests yesterday at the Rutland Showground.

Today I am focused on working on solutions to: "Tackle the unacceptable noise levels.

It is not acceptable that those at the showground are playing loud music after 11pm."Stop the racing on Oakham Bypass.

Racing on public highways is a crime and I want a constant police presence on the bypass."Secure support for our businesses who should feel safe to remain open.

Too many felt they had to close yesterday and today.

The abuse of shop workers is appalling.

"Ensure the enhanced Police presence is maintained.

As I've been clear with Police, we need preemptive, and strong, policing at all times, especially evenings.

"I want the enhanced police units and drone unit maintained."I will continue to demand more protections for us all and will continue to liaise with the Police, Council and our Police and Crime Commissioner." In a statement, the Rutland Agricultural Society, which owns the showground ,said it was aware the event was "causing disturbance to our neighbours".They said: "We wholeheartedly apologise for this [disturbance].

"We agreed to the booking after assessing the organisers risk assessment and with the belief that this was an event primarily about Christian worship."However there is a minority of people who are disrupting the event and causing significant problems in and around the showground."Our priority is to help maintain public order and minimise disruption and allow the event to refocus on its Christian worship as quickly and quietly as possible."We have been in contact with the police who have been onsite today."