Concern over parade policing changes

By Connie Osborne Friday 02 November 2012 Updated: 02/11 08:29

ORGANISERS of the Remembrance Day parade in Studley fear a lack of police support will put children at risk.

Warwickshire Police has informed Studley Parish Council the way it polices the November 11 event is changing and they will no longer have marked cars at each end of the Alcester Road to block vehicles while the parade takes place.

Although the parish council has applied to Stratford District Council for road closure signs, councillors are worried drivers will ignore the notices without a police presence.

Assistant clerk, Linda Stanton, said councillors would have to use their own cars to block the road and someone would be needed at each end of the road.

But vice chairman, Coun Susan Redman said if cars were parked up and people could see the stationary cars were not police cars, drivers would not be happy.

Chairman Paul Beaman added: "The majority of people are children and this could be unsafe. And the parade is getting busier and busier. We cannot expect people to block the road, it's too risky."

Coun Ann Wade, added Warwickshire Police should take responsibility for public safety.

"This is a national parade, to wash their hands of it is disgusting. I remember one year the Brownies were walking down the road and cars were far too close."

A spokeswoman for Warwickshire Police said organisers were advised to apply for a road closure if they intended to march on the road.

"Assistance with road closures can be sought from the local council."

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police confirmed they would still be providing a rolling road block for the event in Redditch.