Police oppose show licence for fears of retaliation over Tobin murder

[Bob]

Derbyshire, UK: Police are opposing the application of a licence for the Rock and Blues Custom Show, believing it would present ‘the most opportunity for high-profile retaliation’ for the murder of Gerard Tobin on the M40 as he returned home from attending the Bulldog Bash.

About 15,000 people are expected to attend the event, causing Police to voice their fears. Assistant Chief Constable Peter Goodman said "Given the potential risks, we do not believe that the event organisers can adequately manage or police the event so as to ensure public safety.”

"We did consider the possibility of placing conditions on the licence to manage the risks to public safety, but based on the evidence which has now come to light, we believe there are no conditions which could be placed upon the licence which would, in the opinion of Derbyshire Constabulary, ensure the public would be safe.”

"We do recognise the right of law-abiding members of the public to congregate and enjoy gatherings but the force has a duty to take action where there is evidence that illegal activity may take place and public safety is threatened."

[YellowDog]

Surely the retaliation would have happened by now!

This seems to be a strange decision as such organised events serve to offer an organised and orderly get together for bikers.

When bikers get together in a disorganised fashion, it is generally greeted with complaints.

[irishlad]

As you said retaliation has probably happened a while back on a tuesday night at MFA, Middle of Fucking Nowhere, gatherings. Sounds typical of Derbyshire cops.

[Bob]

Surely the retaliation would have happened by now!

This seems to be a strange decision as such organised events serve to offer an organised and orderly get together for bikers.

When bikers get together in a disorganised fashion, it is generally greeted with complaints.

I'd say the concerns come from the fact that the Hells Angels run the Bulldog Bash - and the Outlaws run the Rock and Blues Show. So, if you're going to make a very public showing that "You kill one of ours, we will kill one of yours", where better to do it than the first big show run by your rivals?

That said, I wonder if this is being used as a great excuse to get rid of both shows, thus reducing funding to both Angels and Outlaws?

Finally, I don't think calling the Bulldog Bash "orderly" is really accurate! The rules, from what I understand (never been, never want to, but recall a write up by a journo from a bike mag who was sent to attend) are 'Don't step over the line'... trouble is, no-one tells you where the line is!

[Bob]

Warwickshire Police are objecting to granting a licence for this year’s Bulldog Bash, "in the interests of protecting the public from harm".

Warwickshire Police said it had given "detailed submissions" to the Stratford-on-Avon District Council in a fortnight. The police statement added its objections to a licence being granted were "based on the firm belief that by permitting the Bulldog Bash to take place the public safety and crime and disorder licensing objectives will not be met."

Seven men deny Mr Tobin's murder and are due to face trial in October.

[betti]

been to both shows many times when livin in the Uk, and yep there are people who get a kickin, but generally they have done something to cause it, never had any hassle meself at either event and have had some bloody good times at both.
It's a sad reflection of the Uk's paranoid nanny state attitude that the events are under threat.

[Bob]

The organisers of the Rock and Blues Custom show have withdrawn their application for a licence.

Police said the organisers, One Percent Entertainments Limited, had made a "sensible and pragmatic decision."

One Percent Entertainments Limited said: "We have not received threats of any kind about this event. However, we have a duty to customers, employees and the general public to take very seriously any representations made by the police based on intelligence which they have, no matter how sensationalised we believe it to have been."

[Bob]

Yet another major UK bike festival has been axed.

The Welsh National Motorcycle Show has been cancelled due to police concerns of a “significant risk of violence”.

Dyfed-Powys Police said their “serious reservations” were based on a significant increase in violence between rival motorcycle gangs across the UK as a whole.

“Dyfed-Powys Police are of the view that there is a significant risk of violence at this year’s Welsh Motorcycle Show. Our priority is to take every measure to protect the community we serve, including visitors to our area. The objections are not made lightly and illustrate the serious concerns motorcycle events potentially generate.”

[Bob]

The Bulldog Bash will be allowed to go ahead, despite concerns over public safety.

Warwickshire Police had urged Stratford-on-Avon Council to refuse a licence, saying they feared reprisals for the murder of Gerry Tobin as he rode away from last years’ event. But the council issued a licence, albeit with extra conditions:

Random searches being carried out by security staff armed with metal detectors, security fencing installed between the camping area and the entertainment area, and a minimum of three security staff at each of the entrances to the site and to the camping and entertainment areas.

Councillor Gillian Roache, chairwoman of the licensing committee, said: "What goes on miles away from the premises is not the responsibility of people running operations on the site. The licensee is not responsible for activities beyond the perimeter of the premises - that's a police responsibility."

Warwickshire's Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland said: "Warwickshire Police lodged an objection to a licence being granted for Bulldog Bash because we firmly believe that public safety could be compromised by this event.”

[Bob]

The recent spate of events being cancelled in the UK appears to be spreading to the US.

Buzz Walneck, who has promoted the “Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show” for the last five years, has cancelled the event , following information from State and federal law authorities that the rival Outlaws and Hell's Lovers bike clubs expected to settle a score at the Ironhorse.

"Right now the name of the village is tainted among the motorcycle community," said Walneck, who, with his wife, Pixie, sponsors about 16 swap meets a year throughout the Midwest.

The rally and festival were expected to draw 30,000 to 40,000 people.