OPERATION BRIDGE - Cumbria Constabulary

SECTION 6
GPMS RESTRICTED
CUMBRIA CONSTABULARY ON THE MORNING OF THE
2nd JUNE 2010
6. On the 2nd June 2010, it was not entirely a routine day for Cumbria
Constabulary.
6.1 On the 24 th May 2010, a coach carrying school children had been
involved in a collision near Braithwaite in Cumbria. This collision
resulted in the deaths of two of the children and a car driver. The
funeral of one of the victims was being held on the 2nd June and had
attracted national media interest with the presence of a significant
number of journalists, television and radio broadcasters within the
county.
6.2 A policing operation to ensure the safety of those attending the
funeral had been prepared. A number of officers had been assigned
to duties relating to the funeral.
6.3 Coincidentally that day, the BBC was filming an episode of
“Helicopter Heroes” with the Yorkshire Air ambulance. This air
ambulance service was deployed to West Cumbria as a result of the
murders that occurred and in doing so, the BBC camera crew were
conveyed straight to the scene of the incident.
6.4 In addition, Appleby Fair was due to take place, starting late
afternoon that same day. This is an annual horse fair that attracts
10,000 Gypsies and Travellers and up to 30,000 visitors, making it
one of the largest events of its kind. High demands on Cumbria
Constabulary in previous years have resulted in them undertaking a
significant policing operation. The Appleby Fair event is traditionally
the largest single policing operation in the force calendar.
6.5 Particular tensions between two Gypsy/Traveller families during the
event in 2009 had resulted in a bespoke operational plan being
invoked in 2010.
6.6 Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO’s) from the force Roads Policing
Unit and Tactical Support Group (TSG) were rostered to perform
duties at this event, albeit the majority of these officers were required
to start their duty later in the day.
6.7 The morning of 2nd June had started relatively quietly for Cumbria
Constabulary and appropriate numbers of officers and police staff
were on duty.
THIS REPORT IS EMBARGOED
UNTIL 4PM MONDAY 28 TH MARCH 2011
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