Police investigation at Bolton Gypsy and Traveller site continues

Crompton Lodge Caravan Park, off Hall Lane in Moses Gate, was the scene of seven arrests on the morning of Tuesday, May 21. 

Officers were investigating the illegal abstraction of electricity, with all seven having been apprehended on suspicion of having committed the offence. 

Now, Bolton Council is offering alternate accommodation for the remaining people on the site "while investigations continue".

One resident at the site said: "I am a paying resident and have been paying council tax and for my electricity.

"They have come and cut my electric off, all the electric on the site has been turned off. 

"The police came down.

"They are trying to accommodate us, but we have dogs and chickens, animals that they can't accommodate, so we are refusing to leave." 

Read more: Seven arrests and vehicles seized at caravan park

Read more: Man arrested and car seized after raid on travellers site

He added: "They are saying they are trying to accommodate us and want us to leave, but there are 10 different families here with dogs and chickens down here. 

"They want everyone to leave over electric not being paid. It is nothing to do with me.

"They want me to leave my animals, my dogs, my chickens, and I am not going to do that." 

A Bolton Council Spokesperson said: “As part of a police investigation into a case of illegal abstraction of electricity, buildings at Crompton Lodge Caravan Park were made safe by Bolton Council Officers and specialists. 

“Tampering with electricity meters and cables can be dangerous so the safety of residents is our absolute priority. 

“All residents at the park have been offered alternative accommodation by the council while investigations continue.” 

On Tuesday, police officers arrested three men aged between 19 and 30 and four women between the ages of 25 and 38 at the site. 

Two vehicles which were suspected of being used in the suspected crime were also seized. 

The site can accommodate 14 families.