Dad-of-seven Alan Wright claims harrassment

Jul 11 2010 by Neil McKay, Sunday Sun

A DAD-OF-SEVEN who clashed with police over a street sign has hit out after being served with a warning not to commit any crimes.

Alan Wright, 45, of Burnhope, County Durham, claims he’s the victim of police harassment dating back several years.

His family hit the headlines last year when police arrived in force at his luxury home in the hilltop village near Lanchester and removed a street sign proclaiming it to be Wright’s Way.

Mr Wright claims the signs are legal as the street was never properly named. He also says he built a number of luxury homes in the area after his ex-wife inherited money, saving the village from being blighted with Category D status.

However, the sign is currently in the office of Durham Chief Constable Jon Stoddart. Two more signs put up by Mr Wright have also been removed.

Officers say local residents are intimidated by the sign.

A year ago Mr Wright, a builder, was served with a criminality notice by police, warning him that they had received information that he is engaged with criminal activities as part of an organised group.

The notice ran out at the beginning of this month, and now Durham Police have served notice that it is being extended for a further 12 months.

It reads: “Durham Police are in receipt of information that suggests that you are, or are likely to be, engaged in criminal activities as part of an organised group. Your activities and involvement within this group have a serious impact on the community.

“You are therefore strongly advised to refrain from engaging in any such criminal activity and as such we will be monitoring your activities over the next 12 months.”