Car event postponed after police talks with organiser

An event which could have attracted hundreds of modified-carenthusiasts to Barnstaple town centre has been postponed afterpolice raised concerns.

Barnstaple Cruise 2011 had been due to take place in the NorthDevon Leisure Centre carpark at 7.30pm this Saturday.

The event has been marketed via the internet site Facebook, andabout 300 people were slated to attend.

A cruise is an event where enthusiasts of modified cars meet atan agreed location, usually a car park, to display vehicles toother enthusiasts.

Cruises are often advertised on the internet or by word-of-mouthand can sometimes also feature drag races and skid contests.

Co-organiser Jamie Dunn, 21, from Barnstaple, said this week hehad met with North Devon Council and the police about the event andas a result of their discussions it had been agreed that the eventwould be postponed to a provisional new date of Saturday, June 11.

Mr Dunn thanked the police and the council for their help andsaid all parties wanted to make sure it was a safe and fun event.

He hoped the emergency services would be able to attend the eventat its future date to publicise their work.

The Journal revealed last week that police were planning to dealrobustly with any law-breaking or nuisance caused by so-called "boyracers".

It would not be unlawful for the enthusiasts to gather in oneplace.

Barnstaple police sergeant Graham Thomas acknowledged carenthusiasm was a "legitimate hobby" and he understood the desire todisplay vehicles in a gathering.

But he said the police had a duty to take the wellbeing of otherresidents into account and the rules of the road.