Workington v Scunthorpe 30/05/26 Championship 6pm.

[SteelShoe]

30 minutes ago, Marksman said:

It’ll be ‘withholding services’ for sure, Comets will be fine as they’ll get a 30 day facility but a 30 day ban for Cook.

The old timers at the SCB and BSPL wont have any other method in dealing with it and probably give zero support to the rider.

Hope Cookie is getting help, he is still one of the best riders in the league as he showed at Glasgow in his last outing, and is irreplaceable IMO.

As for who replaces him, it has to be like for like on his 8.39 average, as we are way over the 40 point limit.

Whoever it is won’t be as good as what Cook produces on track and in the pits.

Unfortunately Craig has been missing meetings for his clubs for some years now. I remember it happening when he rode for Laura's Comets in 2017. His talent is undisputed. 

[Marksman]

4 minutes ago, SteelShoe said:

Scunny just lost the unfortunate Dan Gilkes to injury. Plenty of strong reserves to choose from. Scunny been weak in that department tonight so it could well strengthen them.

Yep, there are 3 riders in tonights oppostion from Redcar, any one of those make them stronger for sure

[Paul Johnson]

I wonder if Lambo will be questing tomorrow with Gilkes out?

[SteelShoe]

2 minutes ago, Paul Johnson said:

I wonder if Lambo will be questing tomorrow with Gilkes out?

Is his average too high ?

[SteveLyric2]

1 hour ago, lewy said:

No idea why the Poole fan thinks my original post on this subject is funny with his laughing emoji,mental health is no laughing matter.

Your post confused me as I thought you would have the 2025 Klindt absences as a guideline?!

And you are correct in stating mental health is no laughing matter.

Edited May 29 by SteveLyric2

[Arthur54]

Don't know if Zach Cook fits, he's up that way 

[lewy]

2 minutes ago, SteveLyric2 said:

Your post confused me as I thought you would have the 2025 Klindt absences as a guideline?!

Same guidelines as zach cook this season hopefully that's not to confusing for you.

[Adamski1282]

Nicolai Klindt would have made an ideal guest around Worky - but unfortunately seems he is injured as wasn't riding tonight for Redcar.

[SteveLyric2]

28 minutes ago, lewy said:

Same guidelines as zach cook this season hopefully that's not to confusing for you.

Did you mean 'too' confusing, or is it the Friday night booze kicking in? Zach doesn't have home meetings on a Saturday!🤔

Edited May 29 by SteveLyric2

[CTD26]

51 minutes ago, Arthur54 said:

Don't know if Zach Cook fits, he's up that way 

Yeah Zach fits

[geoff100]

Am hearing the gypos have broken on site,it never rains but pours got to feel for andrew and steve.

[A.N.Other]

27 minutes ago, geoff100 said:

Am hearing the gypos have broken on site,it never rains but pours got to feel for andrew and steve.

Apparently they have drove FOURTEEN caravans into the overspill car park after reportedly smashing the padlock on the main gate. 

[Woke23]

4 minutes ago, A.N.Other said:

Apparently they have drove FOURTEEN caravans into the overspill car park after reportedly smashing the padlock on the main gate. 

Ive heard they are on the overspill too.

It's disgusting how they think they can coast through life doing whatever they want. The government and law enforcement are scared of them. 

Surely the police can do something. First of all, they are trespassing on land, after committing criminal damage to the padlock, and knowing the scum that they are, they'll leave piles of rubbish and steal a few things while they are at it.

[szkocjasid]

3 hours ago, lewy said:

I know cookie has issues,but is this classed as withholding services or has a sick note been produced, depending on which it is creates a whole different set of circumstances. 

If he's been signed off by the doctor for a mental health issue, as that's a non-speedway injury / illness, he gets a 7 day suspension & Workington are allowed a guest, for up to 28 days I believe.

If he doesn't have a doctor's note & is considered "withholding his services" Workington will get a 14 day facility, while Cook is suspended for 14 days.

That's how I understand the rules.

While I think the BSPL should do more to support riders suffering from mental health, for example banning Max James from the NDL because he wanted to take a break from the Champ, was just awful, I think it would take a doctor's note for something to be done?

[Neila]

54 minutes ago, Woke23 said:

Ive heard they are on the overspill too.

It's disgusting how they think they can coast through life doing whatever they want. The government and law enforcement are scared of them. 

Surely the police can do something. First of all, they are trespassing on land, after committing criminal damage to the padlock, and knowing the scum that they are, they'll leave piles of rubbish and steal a few things while they are at it.

It appears you can't just kick the trespassers off the land you / the council who own the land have to go to court to get a summons to remove them, something about they have human rights 😲. Fookin scumbags 😡😡. And the local plods won't want to know

[SteelShoe]

7 hours ago, Woke23 said:

Ive heard they are on the overspill too.

It's disgusting how they think they can coast through life doing whatever they want. The government and law enforcement are scared of them. 

Surely the police can do something. First of all, they are trespassing on land, after committing criminal damage to the padlock, and knowing the scum that they are, they'll leave piles of rubbish and steal a few things while they are at it.

In the UK, smashing padlocks on council land is a criminal act of criminal damage. The police have the power to arrest individuals without a warrant under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) if they have reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has been committed and an arrest is necessary. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

Police Powers and Actions

The specific powers to arrest, evict, and seize depend on how the situation unfolds:

• Arrest for Criminal Damage: Anyone who willfully or recklessly damages property (such as cutting chains or smashing padlocks) can be arrested for criminal damage. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Powers of Eviction (CJPOA 1994): Under Sections 61 and 62A of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, police have discretionary powers to direct trespassers to leave land and remove their vehicles. They can only use these eviction powers if the group has six or more vehicles on site, or if the trespassers have caused damage to the land or used threatening/abusive behaviour. [1, 2, 3]
• New Criminal Offence: Under amendments made by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, residing on land without consent in or with a vehicle is a criminal offence. Police can arrest or direct individuals to leave if they are causing significant damage, disruption, or distress. [1, 2]
• Vehicle Seizure: If trespassers fail to comply with a police direction to leave, or if they return to the land within 12 months, the police have powers under Sections 62 and 62C of the CJPOA to seize and impound their vehicles. []

 

The Role of the Council

While the police handle criminal offences like property damage, the local council is the lead agency for dealing with unauthorised encampments on its own land. Because trespass itself is generally a civil matter, councils are typically required to carry out welfare assessments and obtain court orders (such as an injunction or County Court possession order) to formally evict the group, unless the situation escalates to the point where police choose to use their powers.

 

The police do have powers to remove , arrest and impound but they consistently allow these people to criminally gain access to land with impunity, this is why they do it, they know the police are soft on them and would rather turn a blind eye. I feel for Andrew who has invested the last decade of his life turning this into something to be proud of .

[geoff100]

7 hours ago, Neila said:

It appears you can't just kick the trespassers off the land you / the council who own the land have to go to court to get a summons to remove them, something about they have human rights 😲. Fookin scumbags 😡😡. And the local plods won't want to know

Any local farmers need to empty there slurry tanks !!

[RS50]

6 minutes ago, geoff100 said:

Any local farmers need to empty there slurry tanks !!

That should clean them up a bit 🙂

[SteelShoe]

If the police fail to respond to blatant criminal damage and unauthorized access, landowners and residents must pivot from relying on immediate police intervention to triggering formal council and civil legal processes.

 

 

 

1. Trigger the Council's Legal Eviction Duty

Local authorities have their own distinct statutory powers to remove unauthorized encampments without relying on a police arrest.

• Section 77 Directions: Under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, the council can serve a formal direction ordering the individuals to leave the land immediately.
• Section 78 Court Orders: If the group ignores the Section 77 notice, the council can apply to the local Magistrates' Court the following day for an eviction order. Once granted, council-appointed bailiffs can physically clear the land, towing away vehicles if necessary.
• Common Law Powers: Councils can use common law powers (under the principle of tortious eviction) to hire private certificated bailiffs to clear the site within 24–48 hours, bypassing the court system entirely if it is deemed safe to do so.

 

2. Force Police Accountability

If the police are refusing to act on a clear, ongoing crime (like criminal damage or the Section 60C offence of illegal encampment with damage), you can escalate the matter to force their involvement.

• Report via 999: If the damage is happening right now, it is a crime in progress. Demand a log number.
• Escalate to the Duty Inspector: If standard officers refuse to attend, call 101 and ask to speak to the local Area Duty Inspector. Inform them that a criminal offense under Section 60C of the CJPOA is actively being committed and public property is being destroyed.
• Contact the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC): The PCC is an elected official whose job is to hold the local police force accountable. Emailing them with photographic evidence of police inaction usually forces a rapid review by senior management.

 

3. Record Evidence Safely

The primary reason police cite for not arresting individuals for smashing padlocks is a "lack of identifying evidence."

• Use CCTV and Dashcams: Do not confront the individuals directly, as this can escalate to violence. Instead, gather clear footage of the specific individuals using tools to break locks, alongside vehicle registration plates.
• Pass Evidence to the Council: This evidence allows the council to secure an expedited emergency injunction from a county court, which can include an expedited power of arrest attached to that specific plot of land.

 

4. Utilize Existing Injunctions

Many councils have proactive, borough-wide "persons unknown" injunctions protecting their most vulnerable green spaces. If such an injunction is already in place for that specific piece of land, the council can bypass the standard 24–48 hour notice period and instruct high court enforcement officers to clear the site immediately.

Are you looking to find out which department at your local council handles unauthorized encampments, or do you need a template to lodge a formal complaint with your local Police and Crime Commissioner?

 

AI

[SteelShoe]

I would encourage any Worky fans reading this to pick up the phone or use email or social media to express your dispsleasure at the situation and demand some action. Police Station ; Police Chief and Crime Commissioner David Allen;  Mark Fryer Cumberland Council Leader and or senior Council Figures;  Josh MacAlister MP to name a few.