More than 30 arrested at Hells Angels anniversary celebration

Drugs and weapons found on bikers as 3,000 of them gather to mark half century of first UK club

Hells Angels (Getty)

More than 30 Hells Angels have been arrested as thousands of the bikers gathered for a three-day festival to mark the club’s 50th anniversary in the UK.

Held on suspicion of drugs offences and possession of weapons, police in Surrey and Sussex say, five Germans, three Hungarians, one Swiss, one French, one Czech and one Greek man were among the 34 charged.

The event, the Hells Angels Euro Run, marks half a century since the first UK branch of the California-based motorcycle club was set up in the region.

It will culminate in a mass ride out of an estimated 3,000 bikers on Saturday. They will travel in convoy from the village of Pease Pottage, near Crawley, to Brighton.

Earlier this week, police were granted special powers to stop and search people within a designated area in a bid to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Assistant Chief Constable Nev Kemp, of Surrey Police, said: “We have been very clear with those attending the Hells Angels event, many from overseas, that we will not tolerate criminal and anti-social behaviour. Our activity over the last few days has been about keeping people safe.”

He added: “The fact that we have had seven people go through the courts and be sentenced so far, as well as the numerous arrests, has justified our actions. This weekend, especially Saturday, sees one of the busiest for both forces in the last 12 months and we continue to work hard to keep our residents and those visiting safe.

“Officers will be out in high numbers so expect to see us on patrol responding and responding quickly to any incidents. We have well prepared plans in place with officers from both forces, plus mutual aid support on hand.”

Of the 12 people already charged, he said that seven had appeared in court on Friday and were given suspended prison sentences, while five more were due to appear before magistrates on Saturday.

Of the rest arrested, three remain in custody, while the remainder have either been cautioned or released without charge.