A traveller who has boasted of links to Tyson Fury has appeared to ignore a police order banning him from Appleby Horse Fair. Connor Hamer posted a video on Facebook showing him drive past a sign for Appleby, Cumbria, captioned: “I’ve never give (sic) a f*** about police in all my life and I’m not guna (sic) change now”.
The post included a photo of a letter by two officers in charge of policing the fair, Supt Dan St Quintin and Supt Lee Skelton from Cumbria Constabulary, sent last month. It reads: “Cumbria Constabulary is in possession of information regarding issues of disorder you may be involved in at Appleby Fair.
“Whilst understanding this will be of concern to you, Cumbria Constabulary would like to appeal to you not to attend Appleby Fair 2025.
“If you choose to attend the fair, you will risk immediate dispersal under Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
“Should you fail to disperse from the fair immediately, you will be arrested and placed before the first available court.”
In his Facebook post, Mr Hamer challenges another man, asking: “Do you want to fight, yes or no? I will fight you today or if you want to get in the ring let’s go you big skinny s*** house.”
The video was filmed from inside a vehicle driven by Hamer, who can be seen grinning, laughing and yelling: “Look who’s in Appleby? F*** the police. I can’t stand them. They locked up all the mandem.”
Mr Hamer’s boast came ahead of another post where the travellers can be seen posing with Fury in front of a gypsy caravan.
The post said: “There was only 1 man with big enough balls and wallet to own my wagon the gypsy king wish you all the luck with it git up.”
Another picture posted on social media shows Mr Hamer round a campfire with Fury and his dad, Big John Fury.
Thousands of travellers descened on Appleby-in-Westmorland on Thursday (June 5) for the annual horse fair.
The six day event typically includes horse riding, horse sales, market stalls, music and dancing.
Local MP Tim Farron told The Sun the fair is a “huge” logistical operation which is “historically important” for the traveller community.
He said police and others are working with the local community to make sure this year’s Appleby Horse Fair is a success.
Gypsy leader Billy Welch hit back at critics of the fair, some of whom claim crime goes up during the annual event.
Mr Welch said the fair’s reputation for bringing chaos to the area is a distortion.
He told MailOnline: “I don’t think people appreciate what Appleby means to us. It is a sacred place and the week of the fair is the most important in the gypsy calendar.
“It dismays me to see the way the fair is portrayed when the truth of the matter is that crime in the area actually goes down during the fair’s duration.”
The fair dates back to 1775, with Appleby’s population surging from 3,000 to tens of thousands for the duration of the event.
