Police halt motocross event over lockdown concerns

Around 180 people were expected to attend the cross-country motorcycling contest at Baden Hall, in Eccleshall, near Stafford, last weekend.

Officers warned organisers that the event could be in breach of lockdown rules and asked them to cancel.

But they were met with opposition forcing the police to take action and shut it down.

In a statement on Facebook, WOR Events apologised to would-be competitors and their families and politely ask them to return home and ‘save journey best you can’.

Chief Superintendent Carl Ratcliffe, head of response at Staffordshire Police, said the event was in breach of the regulations designed to stop the spread of Covid-19, despite the organisers providing assurances about PPE and social distancing.

He added: “We understand people are eager to get back to normal and enjoy some of those activities that they have not been able to take part in over the past weeks, but there are still restrictions in place which mean that gatherings of more than six people, not from the same household, cannot currently take place.

“There are some exceptions covering the training and competition of elite sportspeople but after seeking further clarification from the organisers about this event it became clear that these did not apply and so we asked them to cancel the event.

“Unfortunately, they were unwilling to do so and we were required to close it down.

“We urge people to remember that the virus is still a very real threat to our families, friends and communities and we must take personal responsibility for working together to prevent the spread of Covid-19.”

WOR Events did not respond to requests for comment.

However, on its website two events have been planned for Baden Hall for June 20 and June 21.

It reads: “Of course there will again be strict social distancing measures in place and the rules and regs.”