Bikers bash police costs; FESTIVAL: Organisers claim 'over the top' security.

Byline: Will Oliphant

BIKERS have hit out at "over the top" policing by Warwickshire Constabulary of their annual Bulldog Bash festival.

The event, organised by the Hell's Angels at Long Marston Airfield, near Stratford, gets about 50,000 visitors a year, but earlier this year police tried to shut down the bikers' gathering.

The move is believed to be a reaction to the murder of Hells Angel Gerry Tobin, who was shot and killed on the M40 motorway as he made his way back from the show in 2007.

One of the event's organisers, who calls himself Echo, said: "We just think it's unnecessary. They put on a big police operation last year it cost pounds 1.4 million and they only stopped 500 people and they only ended up with three prosecutions.

"We think it's a completely over-the-top reaction.

"We accept the police have a responsibility for law and order and public safety, but we police the site, there's never any problems on the site, He added: "In the past they've had a couple of dozen police officers outside the site, this year they seem to think there's a need for hundreds. Last year they spent pounds 180,000 on equipment hire, which is twice what we spend on equipment hire for the entire show, but it's up to them."

Visitor Neil Prior, who travelled to the event from Cambridge, said: "The police have got a job to do. Even they're not happy with doing it.

"It doesn't warrant all the police here, there's never any trouble."

Nick Rossano, of Worcester, who has been coming to the event for five years, said: "It's a great event, normally I bring the whole family.

"We've never seen any trouble, it's very well policed internally and it's very good value for money."

Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland, from Warwickshire Police, said: "Following the murder of Gerry Tobin on the M40 in 2007 as he rode home from Bulldog Bash, the riot at Birmingham Airport last year, and a series of violent incidents abroad, you will be aware I tried to have the licence removed from Bulldog Bash.

"Having been unsuccessful in this, Warwickshire Police is going to carry out an operation broadly similar to last year with a view to protecting people from harm for the duration of the event.

"This is not to say all those attending are criminals - the vast majority are decent people out to enjoy themselves. But there is a small criminal minority, and it is against these the police operation will be targeted.

"The operation will involve some road closures, as we funnel traffic through check points. I am sorry for any inconvenience this may cause but I have been in close consultation with local residents this year in order to minimise disruption to their daily lives."

CAPTION(S):

Targeted: Security checks at the Bulldog Bash in Long Marston.