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FAQ - Policing Policy

Policy of Metropolitan Police in 2005

The support Police have offered to our ride has been crucial in creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for new riders.

The text below is taken directly from the e-mail exchange we had with the Police. The only thing that has been changed is that personal details and phone/e-mail has been removed.

From: WNBR
Sent: 16 May 2005 16:38
To: Inspector Cornish - PO
Subject: Re: Bike event - 11 June 2005

Dear Inspector Cornish,

I'd like to thank you again for your helpfulness during our telephone discussions about the London segment of the World Naked Bike Ride planned for 11 June. I'd just like to summarise the outcome of the discussion. Please let me know if you feel that any part of the summary is not accurate.

1. The annual WNBR event is intended as a protest against oil dependency and a celebration of the individuality of our bodies. Most participants will be on bikes and a few will be on skates. It is hard to be precise about the numbers who will participate, but it is likely to exceed the 50-odd who rode last year. Some, but not all, will be naked, since each participant is expected to wear as little as he or she feels comfortable with.

2. You confirmed that the nudity will not be a problem so far as the police are concerned, provided riders behave responsibly, since nudity in public is not in itself illegal.

3. The ride will take place in the afternoon of 11 June, starting at 3.00pm, in order to avoid any clash with the Trooping The Colour ceremony earlier that day.

4. The ride will start at the Wellington Arch, Hyde Park Corner, and will follow a route of approximately six miles through central London streets, avoiding streets closed for Trooping the Colour, and finishing back at the Wellington Arch at around 4.00pm. You have seen the proposed route, and you confirmed that the police have no problem with it.

5. You confirmed that the police do not think it necessary to escort or accompany the ride. The coordinators of the ride will provide some marshals to ensure that the ride starts and progresses safely, and that the riders remain together as a group throughout the ride, as far as possible.

6. You agreed to ensure that all police units on duty in central London on 11 June are made aware of the WNBR, and are informed that the arrangements outlined above have been agreed with the Public Order Branch of the Met.

I believe that the event may need formal written permission. If this is so, can you please let me know to whom the application for permission should be sent? Otherwise, can you please confirm that written permission is not needed?

Thanks again for your help, and let's hope for a warm, dry day on 11 June!

Best regards,

WNBR

---------------------

Subject: RE: Bike event - 11 June 2005
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 13:58:25 +0100
From: Inspector Cornish - PO
To: WNBR
CC: Westminster Council

Thank you for this,

I cannot ensure that every officer in central london is aware of your event, because of the huge numbers of police on duty on this date it is impossible to be sure that every one is notified. I will endeavour to let as many relevant officers know i.e. local stations and traffic. Additionally with an event of this nature, some officers may have concerns about the actions of participants, even though nudity in itself is not an offence per se.

If situations develop involving drivers of vehicles or passers by, officers will have a duty to become involved, and that may require the senior officer present to impose conditions on your event i.e. put clothes on, or take an alternative route, and you as the event organiser could face prosecution for non-compliance. I would advise against the participation of people on skates, as skating on the highway is not an activity we facilitate and may be subject to local authority bye-laws. Cycling is entirely different and is a lawful activity, provided that the cyclists conform to all road traffic regulations, ride in accordance with the highway code, stop at red traffic lights etc.

This event itself does not require formal written permission. Your form-up area does require permission from Westminster City Council. [we now have this permission - ed]

Regards
Inspector Cornish