Bulldog Bash policing relaxed

The assistant chief constable of Warwickshire Police, Bill Holland, announced there would be no road closures and massive stop and searches.

The tactics were last year attacked by festival-goers and residents living near the festival venue, the Shakespeare County Raceway, near Stratford-upon-Avon. Security was dramatically stepped up after Hells Angels biker Gerry Tobin was shot dead on the M40 as he rode home from the Bulldog Bash in 2007.

Seven members of rival bike gang Outlaws were later jailed over Mr Tobin’s murder. Police tried to close the event down after other incidents including a riot at Birmingham Airport and several violent incidents abroad.

Mr Holland said the policing operation at this year’s Bulldog Bash, which takes place from August 12 to 15, would be “intelligence led” and visitors would no longer be funnelled into a lay-by to be searched first.

He said: “We’ve listened to the views of residents.
“While we will continue to take steps to prevent, detect and deter criminality around the event, we shall be policing the Bulldog Bash differently this year.
http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2010/06/26/bulldog-bash-policing-relaxed-97319-26728914/