It has been reported today that the New Prime Minister, David Cameron, has dispensed with his Police Motorcycle Escort Out- Riders. Claiming that they are an “unnecessary extravagance”
However this has sparked security fears.
The PM was warned that he was putting himself at increased risk of attack if he gets stuck in traffic.
This move was not officially announced but sources say that it was an ‘ostentation’ to be sped through the traffic by Police Escort.
Ex- PM Gordon Brown had been escorted by up to six motorcycle escort out-riders, whose job it was to stop traffic and clear a path for the following convoy of cars. The golden rule was to keep moving.
Mr Cameron’s decision was questioned by security experts after his blue, bullet-proof Jaguar was photographed stuck in traffic on Whitehall.
Dai Davies, a former head of Royalty Protection at Scotland Yard said, ‘The first rule is to keep moving. When you stop you get hit. I am worried and I would urge Mr Cameron to re-consider’, he said.
Having been involved in the planning and running of many VIP Escorts over the years myself, I agree that the PM may be subjecting himself to increased risk.
The purpose od the Motorcycle Escort team was to move the VIP, safely and to ensure the minimum disruption to other traffic along the route. This resulted in the VIP being kept moving and the free flow of traffic being restored with only minor hold ups to the general public. VIP Safety was paramount and it is essential that they do not become a ‘sitting target’
Mr Cameron, this is one decision which you may need to re-think. You run the Country and let the experts run you.