Pubs and businesses closed their doors in Cromer on Saturday night after a series of disturbances at the end of the Norfolk town’s carnival.
Norfolk police said extra officers were patrolling the town following “low-level disorder”.
Police said pubs “made the decision to close” after thefts and antisocial behaviour. There were reports of stealing from shops and pubs, and officers had been called when large groups refused to leave pubs or refused to pay for drinks at a restaurant. Reports of a stabbing in the town were untrue, they added.
In a tweet Norfolk police said: “We have additional resources in Cromer tonight following reports of low-level disorder earlier today. We are aware licensees of local pubs have taken the decision to close this evening and we will have additional officers on patrol to provide reassurance to the local community. We are also aware of mentions on social media relating to a stabbing in the town tonight – we can confirm no such incident has been reported to us.”
Some local businesses disputed the police’s version of events. Nick Copeman, general manager at the Wellington pub, told the Guardian: “Local police have played down what happened over the weekend. It was not ‘low-level disorder’.
“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.”
Cromer’s carnival week attracts around 250,000 visitors to the area.
Supt Malcolm Cooke of Norfolk police said: “Local businesses were made aware of a small number of incidents dealt with by officers, but no official police direction was given that businesses should close.
“We acknowledge there have been a number of incidents in Cromer over the weekend, which will understandably cause concern.
“However, I can assure residents these incidents have been dealt with appropriately and are of a nature routinely dealt with in towns such as Cromer on a busy August weekend.”
North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb tweeted on Saturday: “Very concerned by what I’ve read online tonight. Of course happy to support people in Cromer in any way I can.”
Norfolk police said extra officers were on patrol “to provide reassurance to the local community”. No arrests have been made so far.
