Police defend traveller camp raid

 

A public tip-off, believed to have been about a gun, led to dozens of officers in eight support vehicles raiding the camp on the outskirts of town in the afternoon.

 

However, an extensive search of the revamped site on the banks of the River Severn proved fruitless.

 

“Following intelligence received and subsequent enquiries police executed a series of search warrants at the Leighton Arches traveller site in Welshpool on Wednesday,” said Chief Inspector Peter Westlake. “When applying to local magistrates for a search warrant to be granted, police officers must take reasonable steps to verify that the information/intelligence received is accurate and recent and has not been provided maliciously or irresponsible. The relevant checks were undertaken.

“The warrants were executed simultaneously at plots within the site.

“During the execution of the search warrants the residents were fully co-operative with police officers and access was gained to all 3 properties without incident. No arrests were made and no items removed from the premises.

“I'd like to thank the residents for their co-operation during the search.”