6 Feb 2009

Fears for Waitangi Day pub crawl in London

6:03 am on 6 February 2009

Organisers of a Waitangi Day pub crawl in London fear the event's days are numbered.

An estimated 10,000 ex-patriate New Zealanders took part in the pub crawl last year but pressure from the Metropolitan Police is mounting after bad behaviour from participants.

A group of organisers of this year's pub crawl have been meeting with Transport for London representatives and police.

The pub crawl started as an endurance race on the Underground's Circle Line, where revellers stopped at each of the 27 stations and had to have at least one drink at each stop.

But more than $10,000 of damage was caused at Parliament Square last year and a routine closure of the Circle Line on Thursday means the crawl will not be completed in the traditional way.

An organiser of the pub crawl says he is worried this could be the last year the event is held.

However, organisers are trying to ensure that all people involved are aware of the new restrictions and rules affecting the event.