Overview

• A viral video showing Cumbria Police handcuffing two 10-year-old Traveller boys at Devil's Bridge has sparked widespread attention, with over 100,000 views.
• The incident occurred on May 22, after a report of a boy allegedly threatening a passerby with a penknife along the River Lune path.
• Police stated that the boys were restrained for safety during the search, but no knife was found, and the handcuffs were subsequently removed.
• Cumbria Police are engaging with the Traveller community to address concerns while maintaining stop-and-search operations for public safety during the upcoming Appleby Fair.
• The Appleby Fair, Europe's largest Traveller gathering, has historically involved extensive policing, with tensions often reported between law enforcement and Traveller communities.