9:00am Saturday 31st October 2009
OVERSEEING the security for 2012 Olympic Games sailing events in Weymouth and Portland is the biggest challenge ever to be faced by Dorset Police. The force has been called upon over the years to police the political party conferences at Bournemouth.
But this is something quite different which requires a huge amount of planning, says Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Whiting.
He says Dorset Police Olympic and Paralympics Security Team is committed to working with communities to provide a safe and secure 2012 Games, while also enabling a unique spectator experience.
Police chiefs are also keen to ensure that resources for policing the rest of the force area are not deflected to the operation.
A total of 400 competitors representing 61 nations will be competing over 14 days in Dorset and police are mindful that among the countries represented will be Iraq, Israel and the United States.
The security operation involves protecting 50km of open water from potential attack.
However, by doing this, police do not want to interfere with shipping movements from Portland Port and from Weymouth, including the local fishing fleet.
Mr Whiting said: “Our 67-day policing operation begins in mid-June and involves policing the venue itself, the additional policing required around Weymouth and a significant operation at sea to secure the area where the Games will take place, including protecting the sailing academy from attacks from the sea.
“We have been asked to plan for a threat level of severe, which is the second level after critical and means that an attack is highly likely. We’ve also been told to have a contingency for the highest threat level.
“We can scale the operation down if need be, but at this current time we’re planning for severe.”
Mr Whiting added: “We have to consider the different methods terrorists might use to attack, including an attack from the sea.
“The thinking and approaches we adopt is similar to policing party conferences, but the scale of this is much greater. We’re confident about our ability to deliver such an operation but we need considerable help and government funding to be able to do so.”
So far Dorset Police have received £900,000 for a shared base at Portland and for a number of staff to plan the security operation. A £5.4million grant has also been agreed to upgrade the Airwave radio system to improve communications between the 999 emergency services.
However, the force is still awaiting an announcement on capital costs – predicted to be some £38million out of the total security budget of £600million.
Chief Constable Martin Baker has previously expressed his frustration at the ‘lack of urgency’ within Whitehall for a decision to be made about the overall funding package.
It has been stressed that if the cost of policing the event increases, Dorset taxpayers will not foot the bill.
But Mr Whiting shares Mr Baker’s concerns and says it is vital the force gets an answer soon.
He said: “The sooner we have an answer on funding the more chance we have to bring the costs down.”
The Portland Beach Road will remain open during Games time to allow people go about their daily lives. Those entering the academy will face airport-style security measures.
It is envisaged that a significant number of officers will be brought in from other forces to support the security operation.
The operation is designed in such a way that there will be no deterioration in service throughout Dorset.
In fact, says Mr Whiting, the police presence in Weymouth and Portland will be heightened which should have an effect on local crime.
Mr Whiting added: “We’re very keen to ensure that this is a sporting event which is safe and secure rather than a major police operation that will inconvenience the sailing.
“We will be visible and people will see the operation but we want people to be reassured.”
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