Police remove street signs bearing family's name as they are reminder of 'fear, intimidation and criminal activity'

Published 04th Nov 2009

For years the street names were a constant reminder to villagers of a family accused of a string of crimes.

But yesterday Wrights Way and Wrights Court were no more after their street signs were torn down by the police.

In a highly unusual move, officers have had the streets renamed and have replaced the old street signs with new ones.

The removal of the Wright family's name from the two roads in Burnhope, County Durham, comes after a series of dawn raids last month in the village.

Up to 150 police officers and 50 officials from the Environment Agency took part in an attempt to crackdown on alleged illegal tipping, waste disposal and car scrapping offences.

Several years ago, the Wrights bought land in Burnhope and built a number of homes. They are believed to have retained some of the homes and sold others.

They named the streets Wrights Way and Wrights Court - without obtaining the necessary permission from Durham County Council.

Durham Police have been working with the county council to get the new street names, Front Street and Burnhope Court, officially approved.

The order announcing the name change was delivered to the 12 homes in the two streets last month and this week the old signs were replaced by the new ones.

As workmen removed the signs, Alan Wright, 45, his 43-year-old wife Deborah and his sons Michael, 21, and Andrew, 24, emerged to protest.

But Chief Inspector Dave Turner said: 'There is an organised criminal group in this area who believe they can act with impunity. They have paraded their wealth and criminality and our message is, "it is not being tolerated".

'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.

'We can assure people that every effort is being made to arrest, convict and punish those involved but effective action takes time to plan, gather evidence and strike.'

He added: '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.

In a press release, Durham Police said: 'Street names that for years have been a constant reminder to people in the village of the fear, intimidation and criminal activity carried out by an organised gang, are being changed.'
New Front Street sign

The Wright family is considering legal action. Mr Wright, who has lived in Burnhope since birth, said: 'They are persecuting us. I have only one criminal conviction. I got done for threats to cause criminal damage 15 years ago and that is spent. I have not been involved in criminal activity since.

'My wife has not even had a parking ticket and the streets were done in her name.'

Source: ' Daily Mail '

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