Policing G7 Summit is ‘biggest ever’ challenge
POLICING this summer’s G7 Summit in the Westcountry will be Devon and Cornwall Police’s biggest ever operation.
The force, which must ensure the safety of the leaders of the world’s top seven nations in Carbis Bay from June 11 to 13, have reassured local residents about security – while admitting it will be a ‘significant challenge’ for the police.
A major planning operation is under way to prepare the policing and security response to the summit to be held at the West Cornwall resort this summer.
Last weekend, Prime Minster Boris Johnson announced that world leaders from the G7 nations, plus invited leaders from Australia, India and South Korea, will gather at Carbis Bay this June.
While G7 2021 is hosted and led by the UK Government, responsibility for security and policing has been delegated to Devon and Cornwall’s Chief Constable.
The Force is working closely with the Government and partner agencies on in-depth plans and preparations to deliver a safe and secure event for everyone while maintaining existing local policing services.
The policing operation is largely focused on potential security threats and the level of police resources, but it also aims to reduce the impact on local residents, businesses and visi
tors, particularly in the key locations of St Ives, Falmouth and Newquay.
Assistant Chief Constable Glen Mayhew, who is leading the policing operation, said the summit presents a significant challenge for the force but also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the policing excellence of Devon and Cornwall to the world.
He said: “The G7 Summit announcement is tremendous news for our region. We are honoured to have been trusted with the responsibility for policing the event and are excited to play our part in this historic opportunity for Cornwall.
“It will be the biggest security operation we have undertaken as a police force and we do not underestimate the sizeable logistical challenge it presents. However, we have a proud history of policing major public events, such as the Olympic Torch relay in 2012, and have proved our capability as a world-class police force with the required expertise and resources.
“I want to assure the public that we can meet this complex policing challenge, and planning is well under way. We have been preparing for this for months and speaking with other police forces who have led policing operations for events of similar scale and national importance. We have robust policing plans in place to protect the international delegates and the local community.”
A considerable number of specialist and public order-trained officers will be drafted in from other UK police forces to support Devon and Cornwall Police for the operation. “This will not only provide capacity and resilience for us to police the event but will help us to meet our promise of maintaining our day-to-day standard of policing and services to our local communities,” ACC Mayhew added.
“There is no doubt that this major international event will bring a level of disruption to residents, businesses and visitors in the run-up to and for the duration of the summit, but we will do our very best to minimise this. The public will see a substantial police and security presence, but should feel reassured and not alarmed by this. The public can be assured that any public order or criminal offences will be dealt with robustly and adequate call-handling and custody provision is a key part of our planning for this event.
“Significant engagement and communication will be undertaken with residents, businesses and all key community leaders over the coming months, and I would also encourage people to talk with their local neighbourhood officers to raise any concerns and questions.”