Call for ‘common sense’ in policing of carnivals

[dutchman]

A candidate to be Warwickshire’s police and crime commissioner has pledged to ensure the county’s force continues to police carnivals and community events.



Conservative Fraser Pithie believes there has been a misunderstanding over policing large community events, but says it is up to organisers to arrange their own insurance.

Warwick Carnival’s parade did not go ahead this year as Warwickshire Police said they were unable to spare officers on the day after the Olympic torch relay came through the town, and Kenilworth Carnival organisers feared this year’s might be the last when Warwickshire Police said they could not police road closures.

Mr Pithie said: “After listening to the concerns of those organising community events such as carnivals across the county, I know a number of them have been under threat until local people volunteered to steward events themselves, because it has been suggested Warwickshire Police were unwilling to provide cover without costs being involved.

“First of all there has been a misunderstanding, Warwickshire Police are no longer prepared to insure and underwrite the risk of community events, that is for the organisers. I agree with that: it’s not for the police to accept third party public liabilities.

“But this does not mean that they cannot continue to police such events.”

Mr Pithie said that if organisers arrange their own public liability cover then the police should continue to police local community events using special constables to keep costs low.

Pledging to examine the ‘real cost’ of policing carnivals, he added: “Community events are a real opportunity for all to come together and that includes our police service. We have allowed this misunderstanding to potentially damage relations between the police and local communities so let’s put it right now.”