Almost 180 cops to be involved in Olympic effort

ALMOST 180 police officers from Cambridgeshire will be providing assistance to the Metropolitan Police during this summer’s Olympic Games.

Cambridgeshire Police has confirmed that around 178 individual officers from the force will contribute to the policing effort of the London 2012 Games.

The number which will be em- ployed at any one time will vary and it is possible that just a single officer could be deployed on some days.

The majority of officers travelling to police the games will be general beat officers, though some with specialist skills may also be required.

To mitigate the impact on frontline policing in the county, the force is restricting annual leave during the Games, while offering officers the chance to volunteer for shifts in London or Dorset, where the sailing is being held.

Assistant chief constable Mark Hopkins said: “This will be the largest ever pre-planned policing operation and we are keen to assist with the Games.

“However, I’d like to reassure the residents of Cambridgeshire we will be maintaining local policing.

“Many of our officers have volunteered to be involved in the world’s biggest celebration of sport, culture and local heroes.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for officers to be involved in the policing of public events on the world stage.

“The number of officers supporting the operation is based on the size of our force and whether or not we are hosting an Olympic venue.”