Anger as May Day festival cancelled over terror fears

A traditional May Day festival
AFP/Getty
Jonathan Mitchell20 April 2017

A market town has scrapped its May Day festival over fears authorities are not prepared for a Westminster-style terror attack.

The annual event in Devizes was called off by Wiltshire council this week after organisers failed to convince them sufficient anti-terror plans were in place.

Event volunteers were reportedly inundated with questions by worried residents ahead of the event, with the council hoping to increase security.

Some organisers have criticised the decision to cancel a family-friendly event in such a small rural town.

Roger Stratton, 70, the fair’s organiser, told the Daily Mail: “Clearly the likelihood of a terrorist attack in Devizes Market Place on May 1 is a very, very remote risk indeed.”

Police outside Westminster in the weeks following the terror attack
PA

The May Day celebrations in the picturesque market town usually involves charity stalls, a tombola, a burger and hot dog stand and live music from local bands. It has a population of about 11,000.

Last month, terror attacker Khalid Masood killed five when he mowed down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and stabbed police officer Keith Palmer outside Parliament.

Wiltshire council said the fair was cancelled because organisers “could not guarantee a safe event".

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