Dogs on front line of G7 security

Man’s best friend will have a major role to play in keeping global leaders and the public safe at the G7 Summit

AROUND 150 police dogs are being drafted in to help police the G7 Summit in Cornwall next month.

Devon and Cornwall Police are in intense training ahead of the biggest operation in the force’s recent history.

Specialist dog handlers are part of an 800-strong search team tasked with preventing any disruptive action, from protesters to terrorism, while the world looks on from June 11 to 13.

This week they have been putting police pooches through their paces at the force’s Middlemoor HQ in Exeter.

They have been showing off search techniques, including how the dogs can disrupt offenders, or suspicious people.

Sniffer dogs are also part of the canine G7 team, trained to sniff out drugs, firearms and cash.

Other training is also ramping up within the police.

That includes specialist officers who can deal with protests and public disorder, firearms officers and drone technology.

About 6,500 police officers and staff are to be deployed to cover the G7 event, including 5,000 extra officers who are being drafted in from other forces.

Some of them will be staying on the MS Silja Europa cruise ship, which Devon and Cornwall Police has chartered from operator Tallink to help accommodate officers.

World leaders, including US president Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, will be joining Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the summit itself.

The G7 Summit is being seen as both a huge opportunity and a significant headache for the West Country.

The theme of the Summit is likely to focus on the global recovery from the coronavirus crisis but also look ahead to the development of more green initiatives, at which Cornwall is fast becoming a leader. Police are hoping to reduce the risk of protests close to where the global leaders are gathered at Carbis Bay, by offering alternative areas for demonstrations. But protest groups have already made it clear they intend to get as close to the action as possible during the Summit.