Surrey Police have cancelled leave and rest days for many officers in anticipation of a busy half-term period this week, including the arrival of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC).

The pre-summer break runs from today (May 27) through Friday (May 31) and Surrey Police said they are taking special measures as they expect a higher demand on law enforcement across the county.

Events ranging from a Hell’s Angels event to the Epsom Derby Festival will place extra strain on the police, according to Assistant Chief Constable Nev Kemp, who is helping to coordinate between Surrey and Sussex Police forces over the week.

“We are approaching an incredibly busy time with lots going on and thousands of visitors expected across both counties.

“Public safety remains our first priority and we have been working closely with our partner agencies to prepare and put plans in place which ensure we can meet all the different policing requirements of these events whilst continuing to deliver day-to-day service.”

ACC Kemp added that the police hierarchy had decided to cancel leave for officers on both forces in order to send more patrols out during the week.

“Officers from both Surrey Police and Sussex Police have had leave and rest days cancelled and, as well as local teams, we will have additional support from other forces so you can expect to see high numbers of police out on patrol responding quickly to any incidents,” he said.

In particular, the assistant chief constable highlighted the hosting of the infamous motorcycle gang Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) to Surrey this week.

The HAMC have branches in various countries including the UK, and are hosting their “Euro Run” tour through Surrey to commemorate 50 years of the HAMC’s London contingent, which was founded in 1969.

The main event is taking place at a hotel in East Surrey, while a “ride-out” that could feature up to 700 motorbikes on the road is tabled for Saturday, June 1, on the A23.

Of the HAMC events affecting the region this week, ACC Kemp said: “We expect the HAMC celebrations to have an impact on the local road network in parts of East Surrey and West Sussex as large groups of motorcyclists travel to and from the venue.

“The ‘ride out’ planned for the June 1 will see several hundred motorcyclists riding in a large convoy which will cause some traffic disruption on the route down to Brighton and back.

“In the interests of public safety, police outriders will accompany the convoy and temporarily hold traffic at key points to keep them together and try to minimise the overall impact on other road users.

“However, on such a busy weekend, I would urge anyone planning to travel along the A23 stretch between Gatwick and Brighton that afternoon to allow extra time and consider alternative routes.”

To read Surrey Police’s statement on this week’s events in full, go to: https://news.surrey.police.uk/news/police-gear-up-for-exceptionally-busy-half-term-across-surrey-and-sussex-369832

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