Police respond to Loughborough Fair rumours

Police say they are not advising people to avoid the fair this weekend after rumours circulated on social media.

Leicestershire Police statement on rumours surrounding the safety of Loughborough Fair:

"We are aware of concerns being circulated online and on social media about the safety of people attending Loughborough Fair this weekend.

Among these concerns are suggestions of there being reported stabbings since the fair opened on Wednesday evening.

We are also aware of people sharing messages stating that police have advised residents not to attend the event.

We are not telling people it is unsafe to attend.

To date there have been no reports of any violent incidents at the fair.

There have been some minor incidents of antisocial behaviour which has resulted in the force putting dispersal orders in place."

People attending the event can expect to see local officers on patrol and engaging with visitors as they have done over previous years.

We know that the fair is an extremely popular annual event for the town with thousands of people attending and we will continue to work closely with Charnwood Borough Council and the fair’s organisers to support the event."

The statement from police comes as parents of children attending De Lisle College in the town received a text message advising them not to take children to the Fair on advice of the police. 

One concerned parents showed the text message, believed to be sent by the school, to Fosse 107. 

De Lisle College said: "This morning we received information about a possible acid attack at Loughborough Fair.  At the time, we believed the threat to be credible.  As safeguarding students is our prime concern, we notified parents.  The police have subsequently advised us that there is no substance to the rumours; they are not advising students to stay away from the fair.  We are grateful to Leicestershire Constabulary for clarifying the matter and for reassuring parents and students."

Leicestershire Police said its is NOT telling people it is unsafe to attend the event and officers will be in attendance as normal at the event.