Dispersal order extended ahead of vigil for biker

A dispersal order was extended by police in the build up to a vigil held in memory of a young biker killed in a crash.

The 21 year old, named locally as Jayden Cornwall, died on Saturday evening in a collision with a bus in Cheylesmore, Coventry.

West Midlands Police (WMP), which has been criticised over the order brought in on Sunday, said they were keeping the special powers in place until Wednesday afternoon because of concerns from residents about anti-social behaviour.

Tributes have been laid at the scene in Daventry Road and a balloon release in Cornwall's memory took place at the vigil, where flares and fireworks were also let off.

WMP put out a social media post explaining the decision to extend the dispersal order.

"It has been put in place until 4:24pm on 15 July in response to concerns raised by the community," the force said.

"You will see an enhanced police presence in this area during the next few hours to prevent offences and maintain community safety."

The collision between Cornwall's motorbike and a bus happened on Daventry Road, near the junction with The Mount, at around 19:35 BST on Saturday.

Tributes have been left at the scene, with flowers, candles and photos all gathered around a lamppost - on which is tied a 21 balloons.

Cornwall's friend Saul Redgrave told the BBC: "He was the funniest, most happiest, bubbliest guy you'd meet. If you were in a bad mood, Jayden was 100% the person that you'd want to be around, he'd just lift up your day.".

Whilst the BBC was at the scene, numerous people stopped to pay their respects, whether they knew Cornwall or not - something that means a lot, he added.

"It also shows what kind of person he was, how loved he was by the community and how many people his passing has touched," Redgrave continued.

"It's not nice to see, but it's comforting to see everyone coming and showing their respects to him.

"It's nice that people are offering up their houses and comfort to the people that are grieving here. I think it shows that the community is one."

However, Redgrave was unhappy about police bringing in the dispersal order, after a large group gathered at the scene.

"You want to come and put a dispersal order in, but no one's here being disrespectful," he said.

"People are cleaning up after themselves. I think you should allow people to grieve and and allow the community space."

One member of the community agreed police could have handled things differently.

"I don't think [people] were causing any aggravation, they were just paying their own respects, like a vigil, so I think they should have let it carry on for a little while," they said.

"At least let people grieve, because otherwise it antagonises their friends and their family. It's a difficult, difficult situation."

Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the collision.

"Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit is working to establish exactly what happened and the team is asking for anyone with information to come forward," a spokesperson said.

"We're keen to hear from anybody who was in the area at the time, and has not already spoken to officers, or if you have any CCTV or doorbell footage which could assist our enquiries.

"We also want to hear from anyone who was driving through the area and has any dash cam footage."

Witnesses or those with information can use Live Chat on WMP's website, or call 101, and quote 4878 of 11/7/26. Investigators cam also be contacted at SCIU@westmidlands.police.uk.

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