North Norfolk resorts return to normal following weekend ‘lockdown’
The Norfolk seaside resort of Cromer is returning to normal following a series of incidents that forced many businesses to shut on one of the busiest weekends of the year.
Police described events in Cromer as ‘low-level disorder’, but some businesses said the description played down what had happened.
Pubs and restaurants closed early in Cromer on Saturday night following reports of thefts from shops and licensed premises at the end of the town’s week-long carnival event.
Locals said the trouble coincided with the arrival of a group of travellers and businesses in Sheringham and East Runton also closed amid safety fears.
One business owner, Nick Copeman, general manager of the Wellington pub, told the Guardian local police had played down what happened at the weekend.
"I have been here for 40 years and Cromer has never gone on lockdown during our annual carnival. It is the busiest week of the year.
"The only reason I closed down the pub last night was for the safety of my staff."
Earlier, the pub had said it would not open its doors on Sunday, adding: "Hopefully normal service will resume on Monday!"
Local MP Norman Lamb tweeted to say he was ‘very concerned’ by the incidents and would visit the town later today to speak to business people and the police.
"I want to try and establish the facts," he said. "If it’s the case that local businesses and local people felt intimidated and anxious that’s not acceptable.
"It’s intolerable and we need to understand exactly what happened and ensure that anyone responsible for that sort of behaviour is brought to book."
According to local reports, the travellers have moved on and the resorts are getting back to normal.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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