Biker event approved despite plea

Mr Tobin was killed on his way home from the biker festival

A four-day long bikers' festival will go ahead despite a man being shot dead after the gathering last year.

Gerry Tobin, 35, of Mottingham, south-east London, was killed on the M40 after leaving last August's event. Seven men deny murdering Mr Tobin.

Warwickshire Police had urged Stratford-on-Avon Council to refuse a licence to the Bulldog Bash, saying they feared reprisals could take place.

But councillors approved the event, to be held at Long Marston airfield.

Speaking after the meeting had ended, Councillor Gillian Roache, chairwoman of the licensing committee, said: "What goes on miles away from the premises is not the responsibility of people running operations on the site.

"The licensee is not responsible for activities beyond the perimeter of the premises - that's a police responsibility."

The council said it had put extra conditions on the licence, which runs until 2018.

These included random searches being carried out by security staff armed with metal detectors, security fencing installed between the camping area and the entertainment area, and a minimum of three security staff at each of the entrances to the site and to the camping and entertainment areas.

Warwickshire's Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland said: "Warwickshire Police lodged an objection to a licence being granted for Bulldog Bash because we firmly believe that public safety could be compromised by this event.

"Warwickshire Police has a duty of care to the public and the force will give the council's decision careful consideration before commenting further."