Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has urged police to continue road closures to allow for Remembrance Day parades.
Harrogate MP "disappointed" by police decision to cease Remembrance Day road closures Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has urged police to continue road closures to allow for Remembrance Day parades. North Yorkshire Police confirmed it will not be closing roads for Remembrance Day parades throughout North Yorkshire later this year. And in response, local MP Andrew Jones has said he is both "surprised and disappointed." In a statement he said:
"This decision from North Yorkshire Police has taken everyone by surprise. I am both surprised and disappointed. "Remembrance Day and the events which take place right across our country to commemorate it are important landmarks in our civic and community life as we come together to remember, to give thanks to those whose sacrifice gave us our freedoms and we pledge never to forget.Mr Jones added:"I am very supportive of remembrance parades as part of those events. Every year in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Starbeck and further afield hundreds line the streets to watch parades to war memorials. Simply put, it is part of the fabric and tradition of our community remembrance."
Assistant Chief Constable Elliott Foskett said the decision was based on "national guidance" that will allow police to allocate resources to fighting crime elsewhere. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.“I have contacted Zoë Metcalfe, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner asking her to speak with the leadership at North Yorkshire Police and reinstate the force’s assistance with closing roads to allow parades to take place.”