I'm a regular user of Otley Road, and had driven down the section where the attack took place a couple of hours previously, on the way back from parkrun, so it all feels a bit surreal and close to home. It seems the type of incident where the casualty toll could have easily been much higher, especially given the sheer numbers who congregate outside of Woodies and other pubs in the area in fancy dress. The Otley Run itself is the subject of some controversy with local residents, as it has grown in scale and is now just as frequently done by young professional groups, stag dos, etc as by students. There are numerous complaints about people urinating in front gardens, etc and planning applications for commercial businesses tend to be viewed in terms of the likely additional issues that they would cause. There's an application to open a McDonald's in Headingley which is having difficulties at present for these reasons. When I first read about the incident it seemed that it might have been aimed at the Otley Run itself, along these lines, but it looks like there could be all sorts of factors as to why this particular individual has done this. There's no suggestion that there's any chance of a repeat occurrence related to this specific area, so I don't see any reason why future Otley Run participants should have any additional concerns. It's as random a choice for an attack of this type as for any of the others, the only common feature being many potential targets in outdoor spaces.
I think that would please quite a few people to be honest, there’s currently discussions about how to lower numbers and increasing policing due to the sheer number of people travelling and bussing in. It used to be Leeds students only but it’s attracting people from all over now.
It has become a huge thing. I tend to a avoid Headingley in a Saturday, even though I live there. It is generally a very safe place. I'm not opposed to the Otley Run, it is what it is, although the local MP and council do look very closely at planning applications as a result, to make sure things don't get too out of hand. If anyone has family or friends going to the Otley run, there is nothing to worry about. Just one idiot on this occasion, who hopefully won't see the light of day anytime soon.
I've no idea about the background to all this but I just want to wish you @JamDrop all the best, glad you and Will are safe and well.
Need to wait for all the facts to emerge. Scary to think of all these unlicensed weapons getting through.
We e already got enough facts to know that it was a terrorist attack. The main one being that the perpetrated admitted it was a terrorist attack