Police probe after travellers descended on Delph farm shop and cafe

Police are investígating after a large group of travellers descended on car parks at a popular countryside farm shop and cafe.

The incident happened at Albion Farm Shop and Cafe on the main A62 Oldham-Huddersfield road at Delph on August 1.

Now Carl Benton, who helps out at the shop alongside the Hirst family farm at Castleshaw, has written to Oldham’s  police chief asking for an inquiry into the incident.

In his letter to Superintendent Colette Rose, he said travellers descended on the  top and bottom car parks from 9.30am.

Mr Benton stated: “After speaking with them personally, we made our original phone call to GMP at around 10am which resulted in a very prompt discussion that nothing could be done and the police would not be attending our premises. 

“As intimidation dramatically increased, theft had taken place, entry to our no access areas which included a till, and knowing they were attempting to blackmail us for a sum of £6,000 before leaving, we phoned the police again and explained we strongly believed we were in danger and begged police to attend. 

“The police finally did attend sometime after 1pm, briefly spoke with the travellers, then ourselves.

"We were told there was nothing they could do, then they left again. 

“They had received all the information of theft, blackmail, trespass and severe intimidation.

"They were not there when staff and customers were barricading themselves into the shop, or when a member of staff was grabbed by their shirt and had to promptly move inside to block the door.

“When the travellers left our premises we got to clear up bags of rubbish, which included children’s nappies and human excrement.”

Mr Benton claimed other small businesses have received the same treatment from the visitors.

“Some who sadly felt intimidated enough to pay out their blackmail fees, and some who like ourselves refused to do so," he added.

“This is just unbelievable to hear and to be honest, absolutely sickening.

“As members of the farming community and law aboding citizens, we held off gathering our own troops as it was made clear we would be the ones arrested if we aggravated them with machinery, or used our muck spreader on their camp. 

“We fully understand these criminals have far more protection than we do and police have very limited powers on dealing with them. 

“The least we could have expected was protection?

"One officer, uniform and radio.

"Our community is still reeling from this event.”

Locals offered support to the business when they heard of the problems on social media.

A police spokesperson said: "We want to reassure residents in Oldham we are committed to tackling issues involving violence and anti-social behaviour. 

“We understand how distressing acts of crime can be and I would like to reassure our local community that we are taking these incidents extremely seriously."

No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information can report it online or by using GMP's LiveChat service online at: www.gmp.police.uk quoting incident number 1231 of 01/08/2021.

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