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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Police defend bike stop policy | Police defend bike stop policy |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| North Wales Police has defended its policy of stopping motorcyclists - saying it has helped save lives. | North Wales Police has defended its policy of stopping motorcyclists - saying it has helped save lives. |
| It comes as hundreds of motorcycle campaigners protested, claiming the sheer numbers of riders being stopped put off bikers visiting the area. | It comes as hundreds of motorcycle campaigners protested, claiming the sheer numbers of riders being stopped put off bikers visiting the area. |
| The British Motorcyclists' Federation (BMF) said police were "using a sledgehammer to crack a peanut". | The British Motorcyclists' Federation (BMF) said police were "using a sledgehammer to crack a peanut". |
| But the force said the Operation Focus checks had "undoubtedly" brought the number of road deaths down since 2008. | But the force said the Operation Focus checks had "undoubtedly" brought the number of road deaths down since 2008. |
| Motorcyclists were riding in north east and north west Wales on Sunday in a Reclaim North Wales protest, organised by the magazine Motorcycle News, to highlight the issue. | Motorcyclists were riding in north east and north west Wales on Sunday in a Reclaim North Wales protest, organised by the magazine Motorcycle News, to highlight the issue. |
| They estimated 3,000 bikers took part, although police could not confirm numbers. | |
| The BMF have called the stop check policy "clumsy" and likened it to stopping football fans just because they like football. | The BMF have called the stop check policy "clumsy" and likened it to stopping football fans just because they like football. |
| Jeff Stone, from the BMF, said: "Ordinary, everyday motorcyclists just going for rides on the beautiful roads of north Wales find themselves harassed by police. | Jeff Stone, from the BMF, said: "Ordinary, everyday motorcyclists just going for rides on the beautiful roads of north Wales find themselves harassed by police. |
| "We fully accept there are problems, like in any sector of society, of some people - the nuttier end if you like - who are going too fast, in the wrong places and causing accidents. But that's not the majority. | "We fully accept there are problems, like in any sector of society, of some people - the nuttier end if you like - who are going too fast, in the wrong places and causing accidents. But that's not the majority. |
| "It's using a sledgehammer to crack a peanut. They wouldn't dare do it if they said they would be stopping every blue Mondeo on the road." | "It's using a sledgehammer to crack a peanut. They wouldn't dare do it if they said they would be stopping every blue Mondeo on the road." |
| Mr Stone said he wanted more policing but for it to be targeted on those breaking the law on the roads. | Mr Stone said he wanted more policing but for it to be targeted on those breaking the law on the roads. |
| Chief Inspector Gary Ashton from North Wales Police, who is responsible for road policing, said the "peanut" being talked about was road deaths. | Chief Inspector Gary Ashton from North Wales Police, who is responsible for road policing, said the "peanut" being talked about was road deaths. |
| "People are losing their lives," he told BBC Radio Wales. | "People are losing their lives," he told BBC Radio Wales. |
| "In 2007, 12 motorcyclists died on the roads of north Wales, in 2008 eight more than that died, so that's 20 in two years. | "In 2007, 12 motorcyclists died on the roads of north Wales, in 2008 eight more than that died, so that's 20 in two years. |
| "But this year we've seen a reduction and while it's unfortunate for any loss of life it's only two compared to the large figures we've seen before." | "But this year we've seen a reduction and while it's unfortunate for any loss of life it's only two compared to the large figures we've seen before." |
| He said there were some intent on coming to use the roads as a racetrack and the policy was aimed at offering advice on risks and information. | He said there were some intent on coming to use the roads as a racetrack and the policy was aimed at offering advice on risks and information. |
| In 2006, North Wales' then chief constable Richard Brunstrom compared two motorcyclists filmed from a helicopter riding at nearly 100mph to an "episode of the Wacky Races cartoon". | In 2006, North Wales' then chief constable Richard Brunstrom compared two motorcyclists filmed from a helicopter riding at nearly 100mph to an "episode of the Wacky Races cartoon". |
| Last year, all four Welsh police forces pledged to use helicopters, unmarked cars and camera bikes to cut motorcycle-related deaths. | Last year, all four Welsh police forces pledged to use helicopters, unmarked cars and camera bikes to cut motorcycle-related deaths. |
| A total of 43 bikers or their pillion passengers were killed in Wales during 2007, the highest total since 1984. | A total of 43 bikers or their pillion passengers were killed in Wales during 2007, the highest total since 1984. |