Lack of police escort prompts charity ride fears

The event has raised thousands of pounds for charity since it began in 2006

An annual festive charity motorbike ride can no longer take place in its current format due to policing issues, organisers have said.

The Boundary 500 Motorcycle Santa ride follows a 22mile (35km) route from Thornaby to Kirkleatham Hall near Redcar, and travels under police escort.

Its organiser Brian Laverick said he was told by Cleveland Police the force was "unable to assist with a motorcycle escort this year and going forward".

The force said a meeting had been arranged to discuss the event's requirements and "to remind the organiser of their obligations".

The event started in 2006 and has raised money for several charities in the north-east of England.

Mr Laverick said the ride, which was restricted to 160 motorcycles, previously "always had the support of the police and crime commissioner".

Police involvement had been "a major factor in making the event so successful", he added.

'Very fragmented'

Mr Laverick said he was told that, "unless there is a viable reason why the event needs outriders", the roads policing unit could not provide support.

"The attendance of the police ensures that the procession can move as one block," he said.

"Bearing in mind the safety of entrants and other road users could become compromised when it comes to negotiating numerous junctions and traffic light controlled areas."

Without police expertise and legal powers to control the route, the procession would become "very fragmented", he added.

In a statement, Cleveland Police said it had "advised the event organisers previously that there would need to be a change of format for the 2024 event".

The force said it had not "cancelled the event", but had arranged a meeting to discuss requirements and "remind the organisers of their obligations".