Menu
07/08/2008
Police Presence At Bulldog Bash 'Excessive'
A huge police operation has got underway as thousands of bikers are preparing to descend at the Bulldog Bash festival in Warwickshire.
Despite criticism from the Bulldog Bash organisers, police say that the £1.4 million operation is needed to carry out searches and close roads around the Long Marston event following the shooting of Gerry Tobin last year.
Mr Tobin, 35, from London, was killed on the M40 after leaving the 2007 event.
Seven men will stand trial for the murder on October 2, five from Coventry, one from Nuneaton and another from Milton Keynes. All seven deny the charge.
Up to 20,000 people are expected to attend the biker event, near Stratford-upon-Avon, between Thursday and Sunday.
Police have warned commuters and local residents to expect some disruption while the festival is taking place.
Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland said measures were in place to deter people who "may be intending to disrupt the event" or "to attack people going to and from it".
A stop and search checkpoint has been set up in a layby opposite the entrance, where vehicles will be pulled over by police cars.
Vehicles will then be checked by officers with sniffer dogs and mirrors.
John "Bilbo" Britt, Event Organiser, said: "It's totally over the top. The police haven't consulted with us over it and it's going to cause a lot of problems for people.
"The Bulldog Bash has one of the best health and safety and crime records of any show in Europe."
Warwickshire Police had previously urged councillors not to give this year's even a licence over fears for public safety.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said it had no grounds to stop the festival going ahead.
Statford district councillor Brian Slaughter said of the police presence: "It's excessive and it's a lot of public money to spend."
Following discussions with residents, police have planned to shut four roads although the previous plan had been for five.
They include part of Preston Fields Lane in Clifford Chambers, Station Road in Long Marston and Back Lane in Lower Quinton.
The roads will shut from 7am today until 8pm on Sunday.
(DS)
Despite criticism from the Bulldog Bash organisers, police say that the £1.4 million operation is needed to carry out searches and close roads around the Long Marston event following the shooting of Gerry Tobin last year.
Mr Tobin, 35, from London, was killed on the M40 after leaving the 2007 event.
Seven men will stand trial for the murder on October 2, five from Coventry, one from Nuneaton and another from Milton Keynes. All seven deny the charge.
Up to 20,000 people are expected to attend the biker event, near Stratford-upon-Avon, between Thursday and Sunday.
Police have warned commuters and local residents to expect some disruption while the festival is taking place.
Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland said measures were in place to deter people who "may be intending to disrupt the event" or "to attack people going to and from it".
A stop and search checkpoint has been set up in a layby opposite the entrance, where vehicles will be pulled over by police cars.
Vehicles will then be checked by officers with sniffer dogs and mirrors.
John "Bilbo" Britt, Event Organiser, said: "It's totally over the top. The police haven't consulted with us over it and it's going to cause a lot of problems for people.
"The Bulldog Bash has one of the best health and safety and crime records of any show in Europe."
Warwickshire Police had previously urged councillors not to give this year's even a licence over fears for public safety.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said it had no grounds to stop the festival going ahead.
Statford district councillor Brian Slaughter said of the police presence: "It's excessive and it's a lot of public money to spend."
Following discussions with residents, police have planned to shut four roads although the previous plan had been for five.
They include part of Preston Fields Lane in Clifford Chambers, Station Road in Long Marston and Back Lane in Lower Quinton.
The roads will shut from 7am today until 8pm on Sunday.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 November 2010
Avatar Officers Police The Web To Beat Bullying
Avatar police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s e-crime unit will be policing the world’s first “virtual march” as part of an initiative to mark Anti-Bullying week.
Avatar Officers Police The Web To Beat Bullying
Avatar police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s e-crime unit will be policing the world’s first “virtual march” as part of an initiative to mark Anti-Bullying week.
11 June 2013
Riot Police Deployed As G8 Protesters Occupy Former Police Station
Some 100 riot police have been deployed in central London as protestors take to the streets to demonstrate ahead on the G8 summit being held in Northern Ireland next week. Officers were sent to Soho, where protesters are thought to have occupied a former police station on Beak Street.
Riot Police Deployed As G8 Protesters Occupy Former Police Station
Some 100 riot police have been deployed in central London as protestors take to the streets to demonstrate ahead on the G8 summit being held in Northern Ireland next week. Officers were sent to Soho, where protesters are thought to have occupied a former police station on Beak Street.
12 November 2014
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
Release Of Police Killer Described As 'Sickening'
The release of a man convicted of killing three unarmed police officers in 1966 has been described as "sickening". Harry Roberts, now aged 78, has been released from prison after serving 48 years for 1966 murders of three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush in west London.
29 August 2014
Major Police Hunt Launched After Boy Taken From Hospital
A major police hunt has begun after a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, was taken by his family without consent from Southampton General Hospital. Police said that Ashya King was taken from the hospital by Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, on Thursday. It is thought he may have been taken to France.
Major Police Hunt Launched After Boy Taken From Hospital
A major police hunt has begun after a five-year-old boy with a brain tumour, was taken by his family without consent from Southampton General Hospital. Police said that Ashya King was taken from the hospital by Brett King, 51, and Naghemeh King, 45, on Thursday. It is thought he may have been taken to France.
07 May 2014
'Skull Cracker' In Custody In London
Kent Police, in partnership with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, have arrested two men in East London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. On 3 May, Kent Police began a search for Michael Wheatley, 55, who had failed to return to HMP Standford Hill after being released on temporary licence.
'Skull Cracker' In Custody In London
Kent Police, in partnership with officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, have arrested two men in East London on suspicion of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. On 3 May, Kent Police began a search for Michael Wheatley, 55, who had failed to return to HMP Standford Hill after being released on temporary licence.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
