Devon and Cornwall Police facing their biggest challenge at G7

LOVERS of the TV series Doc Martin have a soft spot for PC Joe Penhale, the likeable but accident-prone community police officer who might sum up, to some, the real-life bobby on the beat in many quaint seaside communities like the fictional Portwenn, where the series is set.

But just as Martin Clunes’ grumpy GP who faints at the sight of blood is not much like any real doctor, so poor old befuddled PC Penhale is not like any real policeman.

The real police officers of Devon and Cornwall will be proving that point in June when they undertake the biggest operation in the force’s history, looking after the safety and security of the leaders of the free world, along with their entourages, the media and everyone else in West Cornwall, when the G7 Summit comes to town.

Whatever the writers of film and TV drama like to suggest, policing in a beautiful, far flung and extremely varied region like the Westcountry is not a job for the kind of characters dreamt up by the writers of movies like Hot Fuzz.

With a population that swells to more than 11 million in summer – a growth of more than 600% – hundreds of miles of coastline to patrol as well as a resident population to look after all year round, there are special challenges that make policing the Westcountry deserving of particular praise.

And this year, from June 11 to 13, that challenge gets all the harder. With US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Italy, Japan, Canada and the EU, as well as South Korea and Australia, all in Carbis Bay, St Ives, the eyes of the world will be on the summit. Devon and Cornwall Police have the unenviable job of making sure the whole event goes smoothly. If it does, no one will even remark upon it. But if there is a slipup or something goes wrong, it will be front-page news and top of the broadcasts all across the planet.

So it would not be surprising if Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer and Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew, who is leading the policing operation, are just a little nervous as they prepare for the Summit, just five short months away.

The UK Government might be the hosts of the event, but security is down to Devon and Cornwall Police. That is, of course, just as it should be. With support from other forces to provide the manpower needed for such an event, there is absolutely no force better prepared to look after the great and good on their home patch than the officers who police it year-round.

And the assurances, made yesterday, that normal policing duties will continue to be treated with the same high priority as always, when the G7’s leaders are here, will come as a relief to many. No criminal should think that, with the distraction of G7, they might have an opportunity to evade arrest. There may be a role too for the real-life equivalents of PC Penhale.

ACC Mayhew urges residents to talk to their local neighbourhood officers if they have any concerns. We are sure they will get an efficient response.