AHEAD of the Tour de Yorkshire, which begins today, Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Police are urging people to remain safe when watching the cycling event.

Police will be highly visible along the route to ensure maximum public safety.

On the roads, rolling road closures will take place along the route, which snakes through Queensbury, Denholme, Haworth, Skipton, and Otley, and the Council is advising people to check before they travel on Sunday.

Assistant Chief Constable Angela Williams said: “The Tour is very much a celebratory and family atmosphere and our style of policing will reflect that.

“However, the safety of the crowds and riders remains at the forefront of our mind.

“Through our tactics, we aim to make key sites and crowded places as uncomfortable for criminals as possible and prevent them from carrying out ‘reconnaissance’, or information gathering, used to select their target and plan their activity.

“We call on people to be vigilant and report anything suspicious immediately by telling a police officer, calling 101 or 999 if an emergency response is required, calling the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.

“Ultimately we, like all the other partners involved, want everyone who comes to experience the Tour de Yorkshire to thoroughly enjoy it in a safe environment.

“You will see us providing a reassuring and visible presence, and we will be keeping a watchful eye over this magnificent event that we are very proud to support.”

Phil Barker, assistant director for sport and culture at Bradford Council, added: “This is an incredibly exciting event where people from across the district and beyond will get the chance to cheer on their cycling heroes.

“So the race can pass safely through the district and everyone has a great time watching this spectacular event in safety, we ask that people plan ahead and have patience on the day."