Warwickshire police refuse to help charity ride

Warwickshire police have refused to provide any police outriders to help with the Great Summer Ride from Coventry to Stratford and back, which takes place on Saturday

Organisers asked for police help as they were worried about safety, particularly through the towns of Leamington and Warwick, as up to 800 riders are expected to turn out.

The police reply will be a warning to all those involved with rideouts on public roads.

It tells the organisers that the event must be run at the risk and responsibility of the promoters and participants, before going on to say “In the past serious and even fatal accidents have occurred to persons undertaking events on the highway. This has led to police policy of advising organisers to hold their events off the public highway.

“Obviously I do not have the power to prohibit you from under-taking this event, however, I would advise you should any of your participants be involved in a fatal or serious accident I will feel obliged to make public the advice I have given you.”

Ironically, although the force would rather dissuade the organisers from holding the charity ride, the Warwickshire Road Policing Unit are actually running an initiative called Scootersafe, which takes new scooter riders out on accompanied rides.

Do you think that the Police should have given their assistance, or do you think that such events should take place on private land? Let us know on the News board in Discussion and Chat.