Police use stop and search as bikers gather in Surrey and Sussex for three-day event

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

More than 30 people were arrested on suspicion of drug offences and possession of offensive weapons as Hells Angels bikers took part in a three-day event to mark the club’s 50th anniversary in the UK.

The Hells Angels Euro Run event, which included a private celebration at a hotel in east Surrey, commemorates the anniversary of the first branch of the California-based motorcycle club being set up in the UK.

It culminated in a 22-mile mass “ride out” from Pease Pottage, near Crawley, to Brighton, where there was a large police presence on Saturday, with footage on social media appearing to show there were about 100 bikers in the convoy to the south coast.

KarenCharles (@CharleyECup) Hells Angels roll into Brighton. Quite a spectacle pic.twitter.com/jsPfmyGkpS

Sussex police said there were “fewer participants than expected” while a helicopter was deployed to monitor proceedings along with officers on motorcycles who travelled alongside the bikers.

Earlier this week, police were granted powers to stop and search people within a designated area across Surrey and Sussex in an attempt to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Twelve people – five Germans, three Hungarians, one Swiss, one French, one Czech and one Greek man – have been charged. Seven appeared in court on Friday and were given suspended prison sentences, while the remaining five were due to appear in court on Saturday.

Peter Bellamy 🇪🇺 (@peterbellamy) Where did the figure of 700 come from? I reckon there was a few short of one hundred between the two police bikes at Pease Pottage. #HAMC #HellsAngels pic.twitter.com/hX50MOx4Li

Three others remained in custody and the rest were either cautioned or released without charge.

The assistant chief constable of Surrey police, Nev Kemp, who is leading policing operations across both counties this week, said: “We have been very clear with those attending the Hells Angels event, many from overseas, that we will not tolerate criminal and antisocial behaviour.

“Our activity over the last few days has been about keeping people safe, which is why I put the section 60 order [for stop and search powers] in place.

“The fact that we have had seven people go through the courts and be sentenced so far, as well as the numerous arrests, has justified our actions and use of section 60 this week.

“This weekend, especially Saturday, sees one of the busiest for both forces in the last 12 months and we continue to work hard to keep our residents and those visiting safe.

“Officers will be out in high numbers so expect to see us on patrol responding and responding quickly to any incidents.”