Key Points
- · Crompton Lodge caravan site in Bolton ordered closed for three months by Manchester Magistrates' Court due to persistent criminal activity including drugs, firearms, and violent crime.
- · Residents were temporarily relocated with full council support including accommodation and schooling continuity.
- · Bolton Council and Greater Manchester Police sought closure following incidents harming tenants, staff, and the community, plus impacting local police and council resources.
- · Evidence included drugs and weapons storage in toilets, stolen vehicles on-site, damaged CCTV cameras, assault on council staff, and electricity theft.
- · Judge Lucy Hogarth described the site as a criminal haven and ruled closure necessary for public safety.
- · The closure order reflects an effort to make the site safer and alleviate local community distress caused by escalating violence.
- · Council leader Nick Peel stressed the decision was hard but necessary to protect residents, Travellers, and neighbours and to regain control of the site.
- · Some displaced families established an illegal encampment nearby, with mixed local reception and council calls for them to move on.
- · The closure has prompted discussion on the economic and social costs of crime and public safety interventions linked to such sites.
What led to the closure of Crompton Lodge caravan site?
As reported by the Bolton Council on 7 July 2024, the closure order was enforced because Crompton Lodge had become unsafe due to ongoing and escalating criminal behaviour that included drug dealing, possession of firearms, and violent crime incidents. The council and Greater Manchester Police applied jointly for a closure order following a series of serious incidents that compromised safety for residents, maintenance staff, council workers, and the wider community. The grave nature of these events was illustrated by attacks on council liaison officers, the illegal abstraction of electricity leading to power outages, and repeated sabotage of CCTV surveillance aimed at monitoring crime on the site.
District Judge Lucy Hogarth, presiding over the case, described Crompton Lodge as "a safe haven for criminals," acknowledging the residents' candidness but noting that without closure, "it would be very likely there would be further incidents of criminal behaviour." The judge emphasised that the safety concerns were paramount and that, realistically, the site cannot reopen until these issues are addressed and conditions for safe entry by staff improve.
How has the community and council responded to the order?
Bolton Council Leader Nick Peel said the decision was not taken lightly, highlighting the council’s priority on tenant wellbeing. As Peel told the BBC, "Crompton Lodge is, first and foremost, a home and a place much loved by the families who live there." However, he acknowledged the evidence made clear the site had become unmanageable and continuing operations under these unsafe conditions would be unacceptable, harming not just tenants but local residents and the Traveller community at large.
Council spokespersons reinforced that the closure was necessary to protect all parties involved and to curtail the drain on police and council resources caused by frequent crime-related incidents. Chief Superintendent Stephanie Parker of Greater Manchester Police remarked that the local community had faced “unacceptable levels of crime and violence linked to this site,” which had escalated significantly, necessitating the closure to safeguard residents, officers, and council workers.
What support is being offered to displaced residents?
Following the closure, all tenants legally residing at Crompton Lodge have been offered “a comprehensive support package,” including reserved temporary accommodation and education continuity for schoolchildren. Council communications emphasise a duty of care to the Traveller community and the importance of providing safe alternatives as the site remains closed.
Despite this, a number of displaced families moved to an illegal encampment on playing fields in Breightmet, Bolton. Local residents welcomed some of the newcomers offering access to facilities, yet local councillors urged the group to move on, indicating ongoing tensions and the challenges of managing Traveller housing needs within Bolton’s boundaries.
What are the broader implications of the closure in terms of crime and costs?
The closure of Crompton Lodge highlights the complex relationship between residential Traveller sites, persistent antisocial behaviour, and community safety. As chronicled in research on the economic impact of crime and public safety interventions, places plagued by crime incur significant costs in policing, social services, and lost community wellbeing.
While direct financial figures for Crompton Lodge's crime-associated costs were not publicly detailed, the Bolton Council’s actions signal recognition that the societal and economic burdens of unchecked criminal activity at such sites can justify disruption for longer-term safety gains.
Why is Crompton Lodge significant for Bolton and the Traveller community?
Crompton Lodge, situated in Moses Gate, Bolton, has been a longstanding home for Traveller families, cherished for its community despite challenges. The disruption caused by the court-enforced closure represents a significant upheaval not only for those displaced but also for Bolton at large, where local residents and authorities have struggled to balance Traveller accommodation rights with public safety demands.
The court proceedings and council measures embody a pivotal moment in addressing these complex issues, underscoring the need for sustainable, safe housing solutions alongside robust interventions where sites have become hotspots of serious crime.