Police have attacked a decision to keep Oxford's Magdalen Bridge open on May Day morning, writes Matt Childe.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail, the city council has decided to allow May Day revellers on Magdalen Bridge on May 1 - despite fears that people will be injured in the crush of a 25,000-strong crowd.

The decision ignored the advice of police and students representatives who said the bridge should be closed on safety grounds. In a statement, the head of Oxford police, Cressida Dick, said: "We are very surprised that the city council has made the decision not to close Magdalen Bridge on May 1. This goes against all the professional advice of organisations in the city who are responsible for ensuring public safety."

Aubrey Bell, civil emergency planning officer for Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, was also surprised at the decision.

He said: "We will put a continency plan in place to ensure we are there for people who are potentially injured." Magdalen Bridge was sealed off for the first time last year after flood waters threatened the safety of people jumping into the River Cherwell.

The May Day Advisory Group - a committee of police, students and other representatives - ruled that the bridge should close this year due to the huge crowds expected on the bridge.

But city councillors voted to keep the bridge open at a meeting yesterday.

Story date: Saturday 17 April

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