The decision by North Yorkshire Police to stop helping with traffic management for Remembrance events has been described as a blow for smaller parades.

The force said last week it would not be supporting 32 smaller Remembrance Day events for the first time. It cited guidance from the National Police Chiefs Council which stressed that police should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic except in an emergency.

A meeting of Richmond Town Council was held to discuss the situation and decide whether events should still go ahead.

The authority decided it would pay for a traffic management company on the day, but said due to the late announcement of the change, it has not had the opportunity to budget accordingly.

A council spokesperson said: “Richmond’s annual Remembrance Day Parade is a large and important event and very well supported and appreciated by the community, supported by our strong links to the nearby Garrison. The discussion and vote at the full council meeting agreed that the parade should go ahead, with the cost being taken from taxpayers’ reserve.

“The parade is a vital annual event and it is important that we as a community pay our respects to those who gave their lives in all conflicts.

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“This is a blow to all parades as traffic management will now be required and depending on the size of the parade is likely to cost an average of £1,500 plus VAT. The lack of notice of this change also means that towns and parishes have not been able to budget ahead for this cost which will impact quite heavily on some councils and perhaps threaten the continuance of the parades for some.”

The council will write to MP Rishi Sunak, the Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police and the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner about the matter.

Police said officers will still be attending services and those on patrol are invited to take moments to reflect.

Assistant Chief Constable Elliot Foskett said: “For many years, North Yorkshire Police has continued to provide a traffic management function to the smaller Remembrance Day events.

“In line with the legislation, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing have stressed that policing should not take responsibility for closing roads or managing traffic, other than in an emergency. This is to make sure police resources remain focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.”

He added: “As a veteran of eight years, with two brothers still serving members of the military, a grandfather who was a Marine in World War Two and an uncle who served in Burma, I am fully behind Remembrance Sunday and so is North Yorkshire Police.

“We will still be attending the services in uniform and laying wreaths alongside our military, emergency service and community partners.

“Our officers will also be encouraged to attend events when they are on patrol and are able to pause for a while, to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom today.”