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Bike show axed over violence fear Legal threat as bike show dropped
(about 16 hours later)
A motorbike show planned over the May Bank Holiday in Wales has been cancelled amid fears of violence between rival UK bikers' gangs. The organiser of Wales' biggest motorbike show could take legal action after it was cancelled amid fears of violence between rival biker gangs.
The annual Welsh National Motorcycle Show was to have taken place between 23 and 26 May at the Royal Welsh showground near Builth Wells, Powys. The annual Welsh National Motorcycle Show was to have taken place at the Royal Welsh showground in Powys.
But Dyfed-Powys Police said there would be a "significant risk of violence" if this year's show went ahead. But Dyfed-Powys Police said there would be a "significant risk of violence" if it went ahead as planned next week.
Show organisers are to consider the "legal and financial implications". Motorcyclists planning to attend the event near Builth Wells between 23 - 26 May have also criticised the decision.
It is thought to be Wales' biggest bike show and is held annually on the agricultural showground at Llanelwedd. Organiser Steve Bennett said the cancellation would cause "financial suffering".
In a statement, police said: "Dyfed-Powys Police has serious reservations about the potential security implications of holding the Welsh motorcycle show at Builth Wells this year. He said he is considering taking legal action against the Royal Welsh Showground Committee after they called off the event following meetings with police.
Dyfed-Powys Police are of the view that there is a significant risk of violence at this year's Welsh motorcycle show Dyfed-Powys Police There's more violence in any major city on any weekend than you get at any of the bike shows Steve Bennett, organiser Mr Bennett said his company Welsh Motorcycle Shows Ltd, which organises the event, had not been part of the discussions and only found out about the cancellation on Tuesday.
But he understood there were fears of clashes between the Hells Angels and the Outlaws.
He said violence between the gangs was "very rare and very sporadic", adding: "To be honest there's more violence in any major city on any weekend than you get at any of the bike shows."
But in a statement, police said: "Dyfed-Powys Police has serious reservations about the potential security implications of holding the Welsh motorcycle show at Builth Wells this year.
"The reservations are based on a significant increase in violence between rival motorcycle gangs across the UK as a whole."The reservations are based on a significant increase in violence between rival motorcycle gangs across the UK as a whole.
"Nationally a number of motorcycle shows linked to the rival factions are facing challenge under the Licensing Act 2003, as the police believe the shows will be targeted for disturbance and there remains a real risk of serious violence."Nationally a number of motorcycle shows linked to the rival factions are facing challenge under the Licensing Act 2003, as the police believe the shows will be targeted for disturbance and there remains a real risk of serious violence.
Dyfed-Powys Police are of the view that there is a significant risk of violence at this year's Welsh motorcycle show Dyfed-Powys Police
"Recently the NEC Birmingham cancelled a motorcycle show to protect the safety of everyone involved."Recently the NEC Birmingham cancelled a motorcycle show to protect the safety of everyone involved.
"The organisers of a similar show in Derbyshire have also cancelled that event. Additionally Warwickshire Constabulary is in the process of mounting a legal challenge against a show to be held in their area.""The organisers of a similar show in Derbyshire have also cancelled that event. Additionally Warwickshire Constabulary is in the process of mounting a legal challenge against a show to be held in their area."
The force added the police believed there was a "significant risk of violence at this year's Welsh motorcycle show."The force added the police believed there was a "significant risk of violence at this year's Welsh motorcycle show."
The show organisers apologised to customers and traders and said they would be considering the legal and financial implications before deciding on any further action. Mr Bennett said he was considering legal action for traders and entertainers who had been at the event, along with ticket holders.
In a statement on its website, Welsh Motorcycle Shows Ltd said: "For reasons known only to the police and the committee of the RWAS, the committee have after consultation with Dyfed-Powys Police decided to cancel the Welsh International Motorcycle Show." "We're talking about a significant amount of financial suffering here and an awful lot of money is involved in these events," he added.
It said it was not involved in the discussions. Welsh Motorcycle Shows Ltd also organises the Isle of Anglesey Motorcycle Show, which is planned to take place between 22 - 25 August.
The company also organises the Isle of Anglesey Motorcycle Show, which is planned to take place between 22 and 25 August.
Last week, organisers of a rock music festival at Catton Hall in south Derbyshire withdrew their application for a licence amid fears of violence.Last week, organisers of a rock music festival at Catton Hall in south Derbyshire withdrew their application for a licence amid fears of violence.
The Custom Rock and Blues Festival was scheduled to take place in August.
But police feared some people may have used it for "high-profile" retaliation over the death of a Hells Angel motorcycle club member, who was shot dead on the M40 last August.