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06
Aug 2023
Police defend decision to end Remembrance Day traffic management
North Yorkshire Police has defended its decision to stop providing Remembrance Day traffic management.
Thirty-two smaller Remembrance Day parades in the county will be affected annually from this year.
They include the one organised by Knaresborough Royal British Legion, whose vice-chair David Houlgate warned this week it could prevent the town's annual parade going ahead.
Assistant chief constable Elliot Foskett said it was a "difficult but lawful decision", adding:
ACC Foskett said the force was acting on legislation as well as guidance from the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency.
He added:
Read more:
- Local Remembrance Sunday parades under threat after police withdraw traffic help
- Andrew Jones MP urges police to continue Remembrance Day traffic management
ACC Foskett said police were “working closely with North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council to assist the affected event organisers to put in place the necessary arrangements in time for November, including obtaining a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order".
The senior police officer, who is also a forces veteran, added:
He said officers would still lay wreaths at services and were "proud to pay our respects as we have throughout our history".
Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones said he was "surprised and disappointed" by the decision and has called for a rethink.
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