Police statistics contradict claims of increased anti-social behaviour during YFC AGM

NFYFC said its decision was based on ‘far more than just the negative social media attention the event received in 2018’, but that ‘anti-social behaviour has been rising year on year’.

Abi Parrington of Vale O’ Lune YFC said: “To cancel this is seen as a punishment to those who have given so much time and effort into YFC and who deserve to celebrate their achievements.

“This should not be overshadowed by a small majority who no longer hold the right to be part of YFC due to their reckless actions.

“Holiday goers, hens and stags do not bring the same profit and charitable donations as Young Farmers, who also contribute to the clean-up costs. And [these figures show] Young Farmers do not contribute to higher levels of policing."

A spokesman for NFYFC said: “NFYFC is aware of the number of incidents that were reported to the police during the convention weekend as organisers work closely with the local authorities in the run up to the event and throughout the weekend.

“NFYFC stated in its FAQs to YFC members that the number of arrests were low. However, it was impossible to ignore the high level of complaints about anti-social behaviour that were reported to NFYFC and Blackpool Council (and not the police) and shared on social media following the annual convention weekend in May this year.

“Blackpool Council presented NFYFC with a file of complaints – something that has never happened before. This was on top of the 91 written complaints to NFYFC’s offices and the unprecedented negative reaction on social media."

But those speaking to FG said the statistics showed host towns such as Blackpool did not experience a surge in incidents when the annual convention - which can see up to 7,000 farmers in attendance – was held.

It was also possible the five Blackpool arrests did not involve Young Farmers.