A POLICE sergeant has blasted Surrey police community support officers (PCSOs) who pulled him over just seven miles from the finishing line of a bicycle race, claiming his cycling was dangerous.

Sergeant James Makepeace, of Sussex Police, was stopped in Leigh, near Reigate, by a jeep with flashing blue lights. Several cyclists ploughed into the back of the vehicle.

When he told the PCSOs that their Sussex counterparts have no power to stop a race they replied: "Well this is Surrey, mate."

Sgt Makepeace said the PCSOs had no authority to use their blue lights as they halted the Addiscombe Cycling Club riders on their 60-mile route.

"They were not driving a response vehicle and as civilian officers they had no right to use their blue lights to stop a race.

"I have community officers under my watch and if I knew any of them had used their authority to do something like this I would be extremely unhappy."

He added: "I heard a repeated beeping on a horn and looked back to see this silver jeep thing with the lettering 'Community Support Officers' on the side.

"I heard shouting and I thought what's he doing - the race was going downhill at 30mph.

"It was wet and dangerous. I saw riders run into the back of his vehicle. It was lucky no one was hurt."

Around 40 riders were flagged down by the PCSOs and 34 of those in the Henfield circuit race, who had paid £12 to enter, were disqualified. They lost their entry fee and the right to finish the Surrey Road Racing League event around the Henfold lakes.

Mole Valley neighbourhood inspector John Tadman said Surrey Police had received many complaints about the cyclists on the wet and windy day.

He added: "Two PCSOs attended the location in a marked community safety vehicle and spoke with the race referee around our fears for public safety and the safety of the riders.

"The referee had attempted to stop the race before my PCSOs arrived but his efforts were ignored by the riders. He requested support from the PCSOs as he, and my officers, felt someone could be seriously hurt or even killed due to the dangerous riding of some of the cyclists."

He admitted that PCSOs were not authorised to use flashing lights while moving but added: "I support their decision as they realised there was an immediate risk of serious injury to riders and members of the public and that it was the only course of action available to them in order to protect everyone's safety."