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Extortionate Police Charges by Suffolk Constabulary Forces Cancellation of Brandon Buzz Music Festival

Extortionate Police Charges by Suffolk Constabulary Forces Cancellation of Brandon Buzz Music Festival

170 signatures 80 to reach 250
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mark h. signed
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terry o. signed
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sarah m. signed
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Started by Anonymous 16 years, 3 months ago

The organisers of Brandon Buzz Music Festival have been forced to cancel this year's event due to the extreme pressure placed upon them by Suffolk police in relation to security and cost of policing this community charity event which has been running for the past 11 years.

 

Last year's event saw several arrests made at the end of the night for public order offences, the ONLY trouble reported during the Buzz's lifetime.

 

According to Suffolk Police, they wish to charge the organisers £13,000 to police the event.

This amount would be 'graciously' halved if the area was fenced off (some thirty acres!!) and over 30 private security personnel were hired to search people for alcohol (it is NOT against the law to drink in a public place in Brandon) which would infringe on their human rights.

These figures were reached because of a 'detailed' risk assessment in line with the National Police Improvement Agency's Operational Event Planning Assessment guide.

This risk assessment indicated that the Brandon Buzz music festival received a security risk rating of 50 out of 100. Three arrests in 11 years with a total attendance of over 35,000 people. I think the organisers should be very proud of these figures!!! Statistically, the murder rate is actually higher in Brandon!!!!

 

This festival has become part of Brandon's culture and celebration of talent and to see it killed off by beurocracy and bully-boy tactics would be an outrage!!

This petition is intended to make the Chief Constable of Suffolk Police listen to what the majority of Law-Abiding Brandon People want... which is just one day a year where Brandon can come together to celebrate summer with their families in a responsible and adult manner.

 

Updates

May 19, 2010

I am still reading through the messages you all have left about what this festival meant to our community. It is clear this was never just about a concert but about the space we built together. Please know that I am currently working to get someone at the constabulary to actually listen to these stories.

May 19, 2010

I am honestly overwhelmed by how many of you have stepped up to support the festival. This momentum belongs entirely to the community and it shows just how much we all value our local events.

Reached 100 supporters

May 19, 2010

6 Comments

E
Emma Richards
16 years ago Featured

Disgusted honestly. The buzz is the best thing about brandon in the summer. Bring it back!!

M
Mark Hughes
16 years ago Featured

What a joke. 13k for policing a local park? They act like its some massive riot risk when its just local families having a good time.

S
Sarah Reeves
16 years ago Featured

11 years of no trouble and suddenly they want to charge a fortune. Suffolk police are just trying to kill off our fun.

D
Dave Holt
16 years ago Featured

This is absolute madness. The town needs this festival. Stop taking money from community events.

R
Rachel Fisher
16 years ago Featured

Total overreach by the constabulary. Leave us and our music alone.

J
Jamie Sharpe
16 years ago Featured

Fencing off 30 acres is just a way to make it impossible. Someone needs to answer for this logic.

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