Gwent Police has confirmed it will not charge for its presence on Armistice Day parades.
Superintendent Jon Burley, who is in charge of policing in Caerphilly County Borough has said the force will not levy its usual charge for public events where road closures are involved.
He said: “We recognise and are humbled by the ultimate sacrifice our uniformed colleagues in the armed services have made in conflicts past and present.
“I would urge the organisers to plan the events and road closure applications as early as possible so we can continue with business as usual and provide the high level of visible support for the Armistice events that the public expect.
The move has been welcomed by Cllr Ron Davies and the Mayor Cllr Vera Jenkins have both welcomed the decision.
Cllr Davies said: “We are delighted that our colleagues at Gwent Police have agreed to follow this policy as Armistice Parades are a key event in the annual calendar and an important community gathering.
Caerphilly County Borough Council is always keen to work closely with the police and the Royal British Legion to support these events. Our generous council employees have also been doing their bit by contributing almost £4,000 by purchasing 11.11.11 pin badges this year.”
Mayor Cllr Vera Jenkins will attend a number of services in key locations across the county borough to provide civic representation at this year’s special Armistice events.
She said: “We recognise the invaluable contributions made by the men in women of our armed forces both now and in the past, so we will continue to support any opportunity to commemorate the sacrifices of these brave people.”
I for one was not aware that Gwent Police levied a charge to enable the annual Armistice Day Parades to take place. It must therefore come as a welcome initiative from Superintendent Jon Burley that NO CHARGES would be levied this November by Gwent Police, and who could argue with that.
I wonder if Gwent Police levied a charge for the Gwent Officers who assisted the Metropolitan Police in the recent London Riots???.
My mind also goes towards the extensive road closures and policing for the forthcoming Bike race in the Borough, the Big Cheese Event in Caerphilly, and the Proms in the Park, not to mention the annual Caerphilly Town Council Fireworks Display when Crescent Road in Caerphilly is closed off to motorists, the Annual lantern Parade through Cardiff Road Caerphilly, and he Annual Christmas Market in Caerphilly Town.
Whilst it appears to be the case that Gwent Police have always previously charged for policing the Armistice Day parades, but will not do so this year, can anyone inform me if Gwent Police have made charges, year on year, for all the other civic events listed above?.