Poppy Day parade fears after snub by police chiefs

POPPY DAY parades to honour Britain’s war dead are running i nto trouble because police chiefs and council leaders are refusing to send staff to block off roads.

Campaigners have accused officials of dodging responsibility – and pointed to Cheshire as an example of the problems.

The historic parade in Neston will follow its traditional route but only after townsfolk took to social media to hit out at a plan to shorten the procession

One critic said: ‘I lived through WW2 and the fallen would, I am sure, not believe we would abandon t hem in t his way. Shame on the council, the police and even the Royal British Legion who could surely have found marshals.’

Elsewhere in the county, police have said they can no longer marshal the parade in Winsford and now a shorter one will take place after the council stepped

‘Officials are dodging their responsibilities’

in. Councillor Mark Bailey said: ‘We did try to retain the existing longer route but we couldn’t.’

Cheshire police have said all of the county’s 26 Remembrance Sunday events will now take place next Sunday although they cannot comment on next year.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Burton said: ‘I am aware of concerns raised in relation to our support for Remembrance Day. It is important that we use our resources appropriately.’

In addition to police forces and councils complaining of financial cutbacks, a number of Royal British Legion branches across the country have closed.

In Burton, Staffordshire, supporters have had to find volunteers to replace the police.

The parade in Blakedown, Worcestershire, has been called off. Jonathan Plant, from the Royal British Legion, said: ‘The responsibility for the parade lies with the local authority and we can’t be responsible for public safety and road closures. Sadly, we weren’t able to get the commitment of the local authority quick enough.’