COVENTRY MESSAGE BOARD

A ride-out was planned in honour of Luke



Police say officers are dealing with a 'large crowd' who have gathered to pay their respects to Luke Cleary. The 19-year-old died in a crash near to Longford Square in Coventry on Wednesday (August 17).

Officers had asked families to stay away from a proposed ride-out, with buses forced to divert and Longford Road closed as a precaution. But police say a 'large crowd' gathered anyway.

They say motorcyclists from across the United Kingdom were expected to turn up. They now claim there has been disruption to local residents and traffic - including reports of 'disorder'.

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We have local officers, our force traffic unit, drone team, and support from the police helicopter working together to ensure public safety and a safe and peaceful resolution. We completely understand the strength of feeling surrounding Luke's tragic death, but we don't want to see anyone else harmed.

"Our policing response aims to balance people's desire to pay their respects with public safety, the feelings of local residents, and dealing with criminal and anti social behaviour. We are gathering video evidence of all those engaged in this behaviour and will seek to take appropriate action where necessary."

Police continue to investigate the accident that killed Luke. Anyone with information about the collision, which happened at about 11.30pm on August 17, can contact collision investigators at: FL_COLLISION_INVEST@westmidlands.police.uk or via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight. Quote log number 4285 of 17 August.

Chaos as police bikers stage ride-out for Luke Cleary despite ban



Police forced a number of bikers and quad bikers off the road after a ride-out in memory of a teenager who died in a crash went ahead despite their advice. Luke Cleary died when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car in Longford Road on Wednesday August 17.

A ride-out in his memory was then staged in Longford yesterday, Sunday August 22, against the will of police, who warned anyone taking part that it would pose a danger to other road users and vehicles would be seized. Reports then emerged of bikers blocking the road and a number of bus services had to be diverted as a result.

Police say pockets of disorder also broke out, with fireworks being thrown at officers, leaving them a number of them injured. The police helicopter was also scrambled, which the force says captured footage of a number of people involved.

Further footage shot by a member of the public has also emerged, which shows of a number of bikers and quad bikers circling round on the road. Police were already in the area and turned on their sirens before moving in, prompting the bikers to quickly ride off.

Police can also be heard shouting: "Move out of the way!" as a number of residents took out their mobile phones to film the scene. No details have been released by West Midlands Police about arrests or whether vehicles were actually seized.

Superintendent Ronan Tyrer from Coventry Police, said: “While we fully understand the strength of feeling around Luke Cleary’s untimely and tragic death, however there is no justification for this type of behaviour. Police officers being attacked is unacceptable whatever the circumstances. Our staff work tirelessly to protect the public and help those in their time of need.

“I have a dedicated team working around the clock to identify those involved in the disorder with a review of CCTV and bodycam footage currently underway. Necessary action will be taken against those involved and identified committing crime.

“Local officers will also be in the area offering reassurance to residents and businesses who have been affected by yesterday’s disorder. I would urge anyone with information who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to get in touch via Live Chat quoting log 1705 of August 21, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Three arrested in motorbike disorder across Coventry after Luke Cleary funeral



Police in Coventry have launched a widespread investigation into alleged crimes during a 'ride out' after the funeral of Luke Cleary that led to arrests. A large number of bike riders attended Mr Cleary's funeral at St Patrick's Church in Wood End yesterday (September 15) - and disorder later broke out.

Officers descended on the city yesterday evening to remove multiple vehicles from the road. Now police have revealed full details of what happened last night after the police helicopter was called out.

Mr Cleary died when he was involved in a collision with a car in Longford Road on August 17. Police urged people to pay their respects peacefully at his funeral.

After the funeral, hundreds of people rode bikes around the city on busy roads, across parkland and footpaths, causing disruption and frustration, police said. The police helicopter was also seen flying above the city as officers responded to the disorder.

West Midlands Police have confirmed that three people were arrested in the city yesterday in connection with the ride out. And they have said, more widely, any law-breakers could be jailed as a result of events in Coventry yesterday.

• A 22-year-old man from Longford was arrested for conspiracy to commit violent disorder and possession with intent to supply. He has been bailed with strict conditions.
  
• A 21-year-old man from Birmingham was arrested for theft of motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop and going equipped. He remains in custody.
  
• A 20-year-old man from Edgwick in Coventry was arrested for shining/directing a laser beam towards the police helicopter. He remains in custody.

Police implemented special stop and search measures in areas across Coventry ahead of Mr Cleary's funeral. The temporary additional powers allowed police to stop and search people in several areas across the city between 7am and 10pm yesterday without the usual need for reasonable cause.

Chief Superintendent Pete Henrick, from Coventry Police, said: "The policing operation for yesterday’s events was extensive and we were able to deploy local officers, teams from force support, traffic, drones as well as the National Police Air Service. Our focus now shifts to a thorough investigation which has gathered evidence from our various resources to identify those involved in criminality.

"Over the next few weeks, those involved risk being arrested, charged with criminal offences and could potentially be jailed. We would like to thank local people for their support and we ask them to be patient while our investigation progresses. We aim to update them as soon as we can.

"If anyone has any information, you can pass this on to local officers via live chat or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Residents liken illegal Coventry ride-out to scenes from Mad Max

Residents have likened a motorcycle ride-out in memory of a young Coventry man to scenes from Mad Max. Youths recently gathered in the city in memory of Luke Cleary.

Mr Cleary, 19, was killed in a motorcycle crash on Longford Road in August 2022. Off-road bikers gathered in his memory three years to the day he died on Sunday, August 17.

But Councillor Ed Ruanne said the gathering descended into anarchy, with many likening it to scenes from the post-apocalyptic film Mad Max. Bikes were reportedly being ridden illegally and dangerously around Longford Square.

Cllr Ruane also claimed that West Midlands Police (WMP) decided not to intervene in the illegal mass ride-out for Mr Cleary. He said by not getting involved, they were risking public safety and slammed their 'inaction.'

Writing directly to Chief Superintendent Paul Joyce, from West Midlands Police, Cllr Ruane said: “Local residents frequently compare the illegal mass ride-outs in Coventry to scenes from Mad Max. Coventry now has a culture of illegal mass ride-outs, repeatedly endangering members of the public, yet the police never intervene or prevent them from taking place.”

He continued: “As you know, there are a number of these mass ride-outs throughout the calendar year in Coventry, which have and will continue to increase in number due to WMPs decision of inaction. Please, would you reconsider your decisions not to act when it comes to illegal mass ride-outs of off-road bikes in Coventry, and would you review your decision on refusing to tactically engage and pursue the bikes, while other police forces do, such as the Met.

“Hiring four off-road bikes for the whole of WMP will not address the scale of the issue, especially when WMP still has a policy in place of refusing to tactically engage and pursue the bikes.”