NEG ability to stop traffic while racing Petition.

The law already exists to allow the NEG to stop traffic under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. This just requires the relevant Chief Constable to delegate the power over to people who aren't police officers once they complete training and demonstrate competence. It already works among the 4 Welsh police forces and, I believe, Essex. The stumbling point appears to be a reluctance from other forces to do the same and I think the main issues are that they aren't prepared to accept the approval of the Chief Constable of another force (meaning NEG riders would have to get approved in each force area they want to operate in) and a general reluctance to delegate powers to civilians.

Pross wrote:

The law already exists to allow the NEG to stop traffic under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme. This just requires the relevant Chief Constable to delegate the power over to people who aren't police officers once they complete training and demonstrate competence. It already works among the 4 Welsh police forces and, I believe, Essex. The stumbling point appears to be a reluctance from other forces to do the same and I think the main issues are that they aren't prepared to accept the approval of the Chief Constable of another force (meaning NEG riders would have to get approved in each force area they want to operate in) and a general reluctance to delegate powers to civilians.

Speaking as an NEG Wales Motorcycle CSAS marshall, unfortunately, it isn't quite as simple as that.

Under section 40 of the Police Reform Act 2002 which is the legislation granting the CSAS powers , the said powers can only be granted to "accredited persons" who are paid employees of "accredited companies."

We are lucky in Wales in as much as Welsh Cycling are an "accredited company" and we are employees of Welsh cycling, drawing a "token" wage whilst on events and utilising CSAS powers.

This in effect places a huge responsibility on Welsh cycling as employers.

Most English Police forces would be only too pleased to deligate responsibility for the safe conduct of road races to NEG, who after all are specialists in road racing, most having had a background in the sport.

The REAL stumbling block is the employee status need to become "accredited" and all the responsibilites for the employees by the "accredited company."

Within the region of Wales is is relitively easy for Welsh cycling, but in the larger English regions the task would be much more difficult to set up and administer.

Pross wrote:

Interesting, Could British Cycling not just become the employer for all English regions? After all they are running a campaign to keep racing on the roads and the NEG is a major factor in doing that going forward IMHO.

I'll possibly be seeing you at the race I'm promoting on 5 May if you get allocated to it.

Would certainly seem like a logical step & if correct perhaps aid in getting Chief Constable(s) agreements.

Have to add that I am no expert in this & have signed the petition as I like to think that it helps.