TEN people arrested for carrying drugs and weapons have been linked to a Hells Angels event.

Police say criminal behaviour “will not be tolerated” and have taken steps to further their powers to stop and search vehicles in designated areas of Sussex and Surrey.

This comes ahead of the California-based Hells Angels Motorcycle Club’s (HAMC) Euro Run on Saturday.

The event will see up to 3,000 of the club’s members take part in a “mass ride” from Pease Pottage, near Crawley, to Brighton seafront.

But several arrests, of people carrying drugs and weapons, made in the last three days have been connected to the event.

A Sussex police spokesman said the force had received information that “some attendees to the Hells Angels Euro Run may be carrying offensive weapons”.

So, last night Surrey Police and Sussex Police introduced an order under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, allowing them to stop and search people within a “designated area” of the two counties.

Assistant chief constable Nev Kemp, who is leading Sussex and Surrey policing operations this week, said: “We have been very clear with those attending this private event, many from overseas, about the UK law; and that any criminal or anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated. Public safety remains our top priority which is why we have put a Section 60 in place.

“This allows us to carry out a stop and search of any individual for a period of time. This isn’t something we have done lightly but is being put in place to ensure that the public, and others attending the event, are not put at risk.

 

“As we have previously stated, this is an exceptionally busy week across Surrey and Sussex with a number of large scale events taking place.

“Police have well prepared plans in place with officers from both Forces, plus mutual aid support on hand.

“Officers will be out in high numbers so both residents and visitors should expect to see us on patrol responding and responding quickly to any incidents.”