Ghoti
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Interview with Supintendent Blakerhttp://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/le...op-cop-wants-to-reduce.5113006.jp
Interesting piece from Supintendent Tony Blaker (the new police chief for the Bonfire Night operations). Could we have a copper on our side for once?
| Quote: | Supt Blaker said he has been involved with numerous bonfire celebrations in Lewes and insisted he recognises the historical importance of the event and all of its traditions.
He also said there were no plans to stop Bonfire boys or girls throwing of rookies, bangers or firecrackers during the traditional processions through the town.
He added: 'It is likely to be the same as last year. There are prohibitons on throwing fireworks in the street but if members of the society do it within the procession it is tolerated because it's part and parcel of the event.
'Throwing fireworks into the crowd from the procession, or vice-versa, is also prohibited.'
In 2007 Superintendent Cliff Parrott attempted to impose a ban but on the eve of Bonfire he announced a u-turn.
His attempts to curb the use of bangers were not appreciated by all of the societies and he was made into a bonfire effigy and blown to smithereens. |
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forrest
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Interesting to read what he also had to say about the rail companies and their advertising of the event to encourage people into the town. Lets hope he's sucessful in his attempts to stop the rail companies from putting on extra trains to and from Lewes on the 'Fifth'.
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rockape65
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Funnily enough the language he uses in this interview is almost identical to that used by Inspector Richard Allum when I presented our draft event managment plan to him and his team, hopefully this is an indication of a force wide policy to work with us rather than against us. We came away from our meeting most impressed by Richards proffesional attitude, hopefully we can get on with managing our events and the Police can concentrate just on those situations that require their attention (i.e the yob element). One word of warning though!! He did inform us that the Fire Brigade are to become an enforcing agency as opposed to their current supporting role which means in the near future we will have to consult and obtain their approval as well as the Police and the relevant council. I think we can all see issues arising there, I can imagine the Fire Brigade being quite difficult to please!!!
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