Arrests follow claims of attack on van dwellers
TWO people were arrested this week after an alleged pepper spray attack on a group of homeless ‘van dwellers’ in Cornwall.
One has been released under investigation after the attack in Newquay, which saw one person temporarily blinded in the incident on Monday night.
Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to Towan Head car park, in Newquay, following reports of an “altercation.”
A police spokesman said: “It was alleged that at least one person had been assaulted with a PAVA [incapacitant] spray. Units attended and two people were detained in connection to this matter.
“A 50-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of using or being in possession of an item designed for discharge of a noxious liquid, and on suspicion of assault.
“She has since been released under investigation, pending further enquiries.
“A local man in his 70s who was also detained has since been released with no further action to be taken at this time.”
NHS worker Sahara Hawker, who lives in a van, said was having tea with a friend at her van, parked near Little Fistral, at around 10.30pm on Monday when she heard “bashing” and “screaming”.
She rushed outside to see her friend, and fellow van dweller, Vikki Bracken on the floor in agony, covering her face.
Sahara said: “She was on the floor, screaming in panic. I went over and helped her. She was on the floor, the dog had escaped and she was screaming her head off.”
She said that Vikki, as well as another of the group – a man – had both been hit with what appeared to be pepper spray. Sahara said she confronted a woman who she believed had carried out the attack.
“I went down to speak to the woman to find out why,” Sahara said. “What she said to me was that she said she hated van dwellers, and that claimed we were poisoning dogs.
“She started screaming at me, saying we’re lazy bums. I’m a mental health nurse, I work for the NHS – everyone here also has professional jobs.”
Refuse collectors passing in a dustbin lorry helped call the police, who swiftly arrived. The victim did not go to hospital, but had to bathe her eyes in milk after the pepper spray rendered her virtually blind for around five hours.
Sahara says Vikki is still fearful and added: Every time there’s someone at the door, she’s terrified to be here. Her face is still burning, swollen, even 24 hours later.
“I normally don’t lock my door, but I did last night. This, to me, was an indiscriminate attack on van dwellers. They came down to harm someone. She was bashing on the door, just pounding on the door.”
She claimed that many locals do not like the van dwellers’ presence in the area, accusing them of urinating in the streets and making a mess – claims she denies.
Cornwall Council has threatened a crackdown on overnight camping, but Sahara said a ban would discriminate against people who cannot afford a home.