Policing stepped up for biker event (From News Shopper)

Policing stepped up for biker event

11:25am Thursday 7th August 2008 in

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A "COSTLY" £1.4m police operation is underway for a motorbike festival after a Mottingham biker was murdered on his way home from the event last year.

Gerry Tobin, of Mottingham Road, Mottingham, was shot dead as he rode his motorbike along the M40 in Warwickshire last August 12.

The 35-year-old mechanic, who worked at Warr's Harley-Davidson shop in Mottingham Road, was travelling with two other motorcyclists after leaving four-day biker festival the Bulldog Bash at Long Marston, Stratford-upon-Avon.

Around 20,000 people are expected to attend this year's event which runs from today until Sunday (August 10).

The festival organisers say the police operation which is said to include road closures, stop and search points and the use of number plate recognition equipment is excessive.

A Bulldog spokesman said: "While we appreciate the police have a duty of care to ensure public safety, we share the opinion of many local people who believe the intended operation is excessive.

"We were not consulted on the plans, but on granting the Bulldog its licence, Stratford Council did not demand extra policing on this scale."

The spokesman added: "The police authority said the chief constable wanted to provide maximum protection from harm for local communities - the very people who believe the scale of this operation isn't necessary or justified as The Bulldog has one of the best health and safety, and lowest crime figures, of any public show.

"As we have always done, we will work closely with the police, council officers and other agencies to ensure the bash is a big success and above all safe for show-goers and local people."

Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland said: "Our primary concern is to protect people from harm but we also want them to be able to go about their daily business with as little disruption as possible.

"It is a significant and costly operation designed to deter and detect any criminal activity which may be planned and to offer the greatest level of protection to the community."

• Seven men charged with the murder of Mr Tobin will appear at Birmingham Crown Court on October 1.