Police To Assist Cheesed Off Rollers

Tue, 16 March 2010 Courtesy of: Police Oracle

Gloucestershire Police have pledged to help resurrect an eccentric country pursuit after this year's event was bowled over by health and safety concerns.

The annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling spectacular, which takes place in Brockworth, was pulled by its organisers amid concerns that the predicted vast crowds would make life dangerous for both competitors and spectators.

The event already has something of a reputation for being a robust physical sport – and with competitors hurling themselves down steep slopes in pursuit of a cheese ball, injuries are an inevitable occupational hazard.

But fear of getting hurt has not dampened enthusiasm for taking part. Last year attendance rocketed to around 15,000 people – more than three times the capacity of the site.

Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesman Insp Stephen Norris told PoliceOracle.com: "The organisers of the event, the Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling Committee, have an obligation to ensure the safety of those attending.

"The constabulary and Gloucestershire County Council have been working with members of the committee advising them how to create a safer event following concerns from previous years.

"We, along with our partner agencies, will continue to advise and work with the organisers to examine what changes can be made for the event to go ahead in 2011."