EXTRA police will be visible at this weekend's funfair in a bid to prevent a repeat of last year's vandalism spree. Last May, Haslemere was left with a £6,000 bill after vandals caused damage to buses, bus shelters, a local church and a community centre. It is believed that the damaged was caused by number of youths who had visited the fair which had paid its annual visit to the town. However, hopes are high that there won't be a repeat performance at this year's fair which arrived at the Wey Hill car park yesterday (Thursday) and will be open tonight and tomorrow night. The fair's operatives, John Wall and Son, Surrey Police, Waverley Borough Council and Haslemere Town Council have been working together to ensure that residents' fears of the possible disruption that this event may cause are addressed. Residents have been issued with contact telephone numbers so that concerns and problems can be addressed by the relevant organisation. There will also be police officers present at the fair throughout its three-day run. "In previous years some residents have been concerned about the fair's presence," said head of leisure services at Waverley Borough Council Julie Maskery. "This year we have worked closely with Surrey Police, John Wall and Son and Haslemere Town Council to allay any fears and I hope that the solutions we have put in place will go someway towards making this year's fair an enjoyable event for everybody." Her words were echoed by Haslemere's neighbourhood specialist officer Sergeant Rob Harris, who said that a more visible police presence would help deter crime and make residents feel more secure. "Our goal is to ensure the people of Haslemere are safe and feel safe," he said. "This week, officers will be working specifically in Wey Hill and the location of the fair to offer increased reassurance to residents." He also said that the increased measures were good news for people who wanted to visit the fair. "We encourage and welcome everybody to come and enjoy the fair in Haslemere responsibly," he said. The fair has become something of a tradition in Haslemere and has been coming to the site of Wey Hill car park for the last 200 years. Haslemere town clerk Mike O'Neil, who highlighted last year's problems to the police's town centre crime and disorder group, was also hopeful that this year's event would pass without incident. "Hopefully this year we won't have a repeat of last year," he said. • Anyone with any concerns or questions about the fair should contact Bernice Wall from John Wall and Son Charter Fair on 0783 622 6464, Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or Waverley Borough Council on 01483 523 394.
