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News from Hells Angels MC Baltimore
| Headline: Hell’s Angels ‘victimised’ by £1m police operation at Bulldog Bash |
| Friday - 08/08/2009 |
| Referrer: THE TIMES ONLINE |
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 Bikers arriving at the Bulldog Bash festival at Long Marston airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon
With a degree in health and safety and no sign of tattoos, “Woo” does not seem to be a typical Hell’s Angel.
“I came to the Bulldog Bash in a Range Rover towing a caravan,” he said. “The wife — well, she’s a bit of a five-star luxury kind of girl. I even had to leave the Harley at home.”
Woo, 50, is one of 200 Hell’s Angels policing the Bulldog Bash, a bikers’ festival that Warwickshire Police has repeatedly tried to shut down.
Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland claims that the four-day event, which attracts up to 15,000 bikers, is a cover for organised crime and poses a risk of a violent clash between the group and its arch-rivals, the Outlaws.
The force has spent more than £1 million and hired officers from five neighbouring constabularies to carry out stop and searches.
In the lay-by outside the venue at Long Marston Airfield, near Stratford-upon-Avon, two armed officers patrol as sniffer dogs and search teams inspect the bikers they have pulled over in “intelligence-led” operations conducted under the Terrorism Act 2000.
For Slim, being stopped was insulting. Sitting astride a powerful Triumph motorbike, the civil servant, who works for the Ministry of Defence, said: “I’ve just got back after eight months in Afghanistan, trying to prevent terrorism. Using the Terrorism Act to stop me is disgraceful.
“It wasn’t intelligence-led — it’s because I am wearing motorcycle-club patches on my leathers. ”For Crash, an inappropriate nickname given he has never had a motorcycle accident, being stopped means he has to report to the Royal Navy Police.
“I’m an engineer with the Navy just back from doing sea trials. This is my R ’n’ R. The police asked if I was carrying drugs. I said that you can’t take drugs if you are back on ship in a few weeks.”
Peter Barnes, the chairman of Warwickshire County Council, who opened the show amid a deafening roar of engines, accused Mr Holland of wasting taxpayers’ money. “The police have overreacted. The show brings great benefits to the area’s local economy.”
The Angels insist that throughout the 23 years for which the show has been running there has not been a criminal problem at the airfield.
In 2007, however, Gerry Tobin, a Hell’s Angel, was shot dead by a gang of Outlaws after leaving the show and driving home on the M40. Last year four Outlaws and four Angels were convicted of involvement in a machete fight at Birmingham airport.
Woo, who joined motorcycle clubs during Northern Ireland’s Troubles because they were one of the few organisations where religion was irrelevant, defended the movements.
“We have corrupt police, but not all police are corrupt. We now know that some MPs are corrupt, but not all MPs.
“Every organisation is made up of good and bad eggs. The Hell’s Angels is no different.”
Throughout the site, the atmosphere remains friendly and jovial, as children run around splashing in the muddy puddles.
Liz Murray, who is collecting for Help for Heroes, which raises funds for members of the Forces wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan, has nothing but praise for the Bulldog Bash. “We have the best spot of all in the stalls. Some bikers are ex-servicemen, others are simply patriotic, and we do very well here. Last year we collected £11,000.”
At the neighbouring Rotary Club of Stratford-upon-Avon stall, Brian Slaughter, 75, said: “I’ve been coming here 18 years. We’ve raised more than £100,000 for charity. The bikers drive by throwing money in the Help for Heroes buckets. It’s great.”
In the main stage tent, just next to the “Adult Zone” where lap dancers ply their trade, the sickly sweet aroma of cannabis is prevalent, suggesting that the stop and searches have not been to combat use of the drug.
One biker from the Predators club sips from a cold can of beer and admits being stopped. “I pulled up my leathers and showed the officer my bulletproof vest. I’m a grandfather. You can never be too careful — it’s a bit like wearing a helmet,” he said, swatting one of a swarm of wasps attracted by the food stalls.
“The most aggressive things are these bloody wasps.”
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harley Bach wrote:
It saddens me when a small minority invite prejudice on to the majority. I know a couple of Hells Angels along with other back patch club members who are normal guys. They go to work like anyone else, but are also dedicated to their club. The Police are only trying to prevent terrible repeats like that of the loss of Gerry Tobin. I know the hard work and planning which goes in to putting on an event like the Bulldog Bash, of which I have attended many times-without incident. But there is always a very small element who don`t think like or behave like the rest. Are all football fans hooligans? No! Most are responsible folk devoted to their teams. Just like most bikers, club member or not they devoted to their way of life. I commend HAMC for their diligent hard work and months of planning which goes in to producing such a great long weekend of entertainment, and I hope that it may continue for a long time to come-maybe it will become so popular it will outgrow Longmarston, who knows? I got spat on the other day from above why? because I am a biker. I pity such behavoir. It does grieve me to hear of ongoing feuds between clubs. Life is too short to have this. We all get wronged from time to time but isn`t it better to forgive and forget? Is anyone perfect?
August 9, 2009 6:02 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? Report Abuse Permalink
harry dangler wrote:
Your whole country is a Police-State
Cameras everywhere. You just dont seem to understand that once you lose your freedoms, the government will NEVER give them back. I'm surprised you havent allowed the government to start tattoing ID numbers on you yet.
August 9, 2009 8:44 AM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? Report Abuse Permalink
Dirty "Scrounger" wrote:
David Morgan, you have to be some kind of wannabe yourself! I'm a rider in Canada and I*'ll tell you something. Those riders in England are as bad as they NEED to be, and if you think they aren't, then why don't you just go and mouth off to them, see how tough they are...sitting behind your computer....does that make you "tough"?
Hell's Angels are human beings too and I have Angel friends in 4 different countries although I'm not a member, I respect those men and their patch. MAybe you ought to...English Hell's Angels have been around for over 40 years...what do you say to THAT, Mr. tough guy?
August 8, 2009 10:36 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (1) Report Abuse Permalink
David Morgan wrote:
Tom, I will read what I wish. The UK is a free Nation Sir. Thankyou very much.
August 8, 2009 9:09 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (2) Report Abuse Permalink
Tom Cahill wrote:
David, please restrict yourself to 'real deal' american newspapers in future.
August 8, 2009 9:02 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? Report Abuse Permalink
Sue Wilde wrote:
David, as a pillion only, I've been to loads of bike meets in the UK, and the Hells Angels Ive met have been brilliant! I must be missing a point; Note to self, must start acting 'hard' and 'cool' and being the 'real deal'...
August 8, 2009 7:24 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? Report Abuse Permalink
David Morgan wrote:
These are truly want a be's. Come to the States and you will find the real deal. These little boys on bikes in the U.K. need too quit pretending and get on with their lives before someone kills them. Ridiculous-I have heard it all Hell's Angel's in England, Good Lord.
August 8, 2009 6:30 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (1) Report Abuse Permalink
Kevin London wrote:
Typical of the police to abuse a law meant for terrorists but used against it's people.they just can't help themselves can they!
August 8, 2009 4:56 PM BST on UK-TimesOnline Recommend? (2) Report Abuse Permalink
sarah gadd wrote:
Sounds like they are all going to have a damned good weekend, if they did a day ticket I'd have gone over there.
I've attended many bike events over the years, have never felt threatened and have always had a great time. Another good thing about these events is they tend to not be over priced in comparison to festivals, £45 for four days of entertainment, good value during a recession!
August 8, 2009 10:52 AM BST
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