Police have arrested 34 people connected to an event known as the Hell’s Angels Euro Run 2019.
The event, marking the 50th anniversary of the Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club branch in Britain, is due to culminate in a “ride out” from Pease Pottage to Brighton this afternoon (Saturday 1 June).
The arrests were for having drugs and offensive weapons and Sussex Police said that 12 people had been charged.
Five of those charged were German, three Hungarian, one French, one Swiss, one Czech and one Greek.
Late last night (Friday 31 May) the force said: “Police across Surrey and Sussex have made a further 24 arrests bringing the total to 34 for possession of offensive weapons and drug offences connected to the Hell’s Angels Euro Run 2019.
“Teams of officers have been using stop and search powers to look for concealed items.
“On Wednesday night (29 May), Surrey Police and Sussex Police introduced an order, under section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, allowing stop and search of individuals within a designated area of Surrey and Sussex.
“This order has been extended and will now apply until 4am on Saturday morning (1 June).
“The 34 arrests have been all for offensive weapons and drugs offences and 12 people – five Germans, three Hungarian, one Swiss, one French, one Czech and one Greek man – have been charged.
“Seven appeared in court on Friday and have been given suspended prison sentences. Five more will appear in court on Saturday.
“Three more people remain in custody. All others were either cautioned or released without charge.”
The police operation is headed by the former divisional commander of Brighton and Hove, Nev Kemp, now an assistant chief constable in Surrey.
Mr Kemp said: “We have been very clear with those attending the Hell’s Angels event, many from overseas, that we will not tolerate criminal and anti-social behaviour.
“Our activity over the last few days has been about keeping people safe, which is why I put the section 60 order in place.
“The fact that we have had seven people go through the courts and be sentenced so far, as well as the numerous arrests, has justified our actions and use of section 60 this week.
“This weekend, especially Saturday, sees one of the busiest for both forces in the last 12 months and we continue to work hard to keep our residents and those visiting safe.
“Officers will be out in high numbers so expect to see us on patrol responding and responding quickly to any incidents.
“We have well-prepared plans in place with officers from both forces, plus mutual aid support on hand.”
Sussex Police said that some of the events due to take place over the weekend were regular fixtures or had been held before, such as the Kemptown Carnival, others were unique to 2019.
The Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club ride out this afternoon fell into this category, having never been held in Britain before. They have largely been staying in East Surrey.
But about 700 bikers from all around the world are expected to ride from Pease Pottage, near Crawley, down the A23 to Brighton seafront from 2pm to 4.30pm.
They are due to arrive just hours before football fans are expected to gather in dozens of Brighton pubs to watch a football match on television. Liverpool are due to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final.
Mr Kemp said: “Although this is a private event, we expect the Hell’s Angel Motorcycle Club celebrations to have an impact on the local road network in parts of East Surrey and West Sussex as large groups of motorcyclists travel to and from the venue.
“The ‘ride out’ … will also see several hundred motorcyclists riding in a large convoy which will cause some traffic disruption on the route down to Brighton and back.
“In the interests of public safety, police outriders will accompany the convoy and temporarily hold traffic at key points to keep them together and try to minimise the overall impact on other road users.
“However, on such a busy weekend, I would urge anyone planning to travel along the A23 stretch between Gatwick and Brighton to allow extra time and consider alternative routes.
“As this an international event, we have been speaking to the organisers to ensure attendees are fully aware of the legal requirements for road users in the UK and that action will be taken against anyone committing a road traffic offence.”
