Bulldog bash security 'over the top' claim organisers

Organisers of a controversial motorcycle festival accused a police force today of being "over the top" with its security operation.

The Hell's Angels said its Bulldog Bash event was the "safest show in Europe" and claimed Warwickshire police force was discriminating against the biker community by enforcing such strict security.

The force has been trying to get the four-day festival, which starts tomorrow at Long Marston Airfield near Stratford-upon-Avon, banned following the death of mechanic Gerry Tobin, who was shot as he rode home along the M40 in 2007.

A huge policing operation will take place again this year, which will include stop-and-searches and automatic number plate recognition on roads leading up to the site.

Organiser John Britt, also known as Bilbo, said: "I think they (the police) are being totally over the top again.

"This is the safest show in Europe. We've never had any problems at all.

"It's total overkill by the police and I think it's discrimination."