Police pull down 'intimidating' Burnhope street signs

Nov 3 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

“The people of Burnhope know exactly who is behind the majority of criminal activity in this area and have waited a long time for action to be taken against them. Durham Constabulary can assure people every effort is being made to arrest, convict and punish those involved but effective action takes time to plan, gather evidence and strike.

“It is our intention to make life for this gang as uncomfortable and as unbearable as possible. Even the smallest thing like a name change can make a difference and send a strong message. It lets people know that we are looking at everything – and nothing is beyond our reach.”

But Alan Wright, 45, flanked by his two sons, Andrew Piggford, 24, and Michael Wright, 21, denied any wrongdoing and accused Inspector Turner of “victimisation”.

He said: “If I was a criminal then why am I not in prison? I have one criminal conviction and that was 15 years ago.

“This is victimisation against me and my family. An old woman called Annie Snowball was murdered in this village 20 years ago (1988) and the killer was never jailed. An elderly doctor (William Benson) was given a good kicking by robbers in Stanley last year and the police haven’t caught anyone. Why don’t they catch the real criminals instead of spending their resources persecuting me and my family?”

Durham Deputy Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “We are not saying that everybody called Wright in this area is a criminal.

“But these name changes are sending out a message to the vast majority of law abiding people in Burnhope that we are supporting them.”