Durham churches offer fair-bound Travellers sanctuary on their land

Thousands of Roma will soon be making their way to Appleby Horse Fair in Cumbria, but they must contend with new police powers

The city of Durham is on traditional routes to Appleby Horse Fair, when 10,000 Travellers from all over Europe descend on the small town in neighbouring Cumbria. Now it is the first city to offer sanctuary on church land to this community, in a move designed to counter legislation that will give police new powers to move on encampments.

Durham's diocesan synod, which has agreed unanimously to the move, hopes the scheme will be rolled out nationwide.