Warwickshire Police will this week start discussions with local communities about this year's Bulldog Bash event.

Assistant Chief Constable Bill Holland will attend a meeting tonight, Thursday February 26 to which local residents and business owners have been invited.

At this public meeting he will receive feedback about last year's policing operation and provide an opportunity for discussions to start about Bulldog Bash 2009.

ACC Holland said: "We are now planning our response to Bulldog Bash 2009 and we are doing this in partnership with the local communities affected by the event.

"We are currently assessing all the information available to us to see if grounds exist to request a review of the licence for this event, which was granted by Stratford District Council last year despite our objections.

"We are taking professional advice on this.

"Any application for a review of the licence granted for Bulldog Bash would be based on the grounds of ensuring public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder.

"My preference would be that Bulldog Bash 2009 does not take place. But if it does go ahead there will be a professional and robust policing operation put in place to protect people from harm in Warwickshire.

"We want to engage with local people at this early stage to discuss views and opinions and to ensure everyone has the same vision in mind of protecting our communities together."

Notes to editors

ACC Bill Holland will be attending is the Shipston and Stour Community Forum which starts at 6pm at Quinton Village Hall, Lower Quinton.

This is a public meeting and is open to journalists and reporters to attend if they wish but there will be no opportunity for interviews with ACC Holland before or after the meeting.