With just weeks to go until the start of the London 2012 Olympics, Durham Constabulary has been working with national colleagues to help resource the largest ever pre-planned policing operation in the UK.
At the same time, the force has been putting in place arrangements to ensure core policing across County Durham and Darlington will remain unaffected during the Games.
Overseen by Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, the National Olympic Security Coordinator, 52 forces have worked together to resource the national policing operation, which begins on 4 June and runs until 16 September.
Durham is supporting the operation by providing officers to assist for a total of 60 days. Final planning for their deployments is underway, but the majority of officers will assist the Metropolitan Police and Dorset Police, which have the largest Games operations.
The commitment for the force will vary each day, ranging from a maximum of 68 officers on Olympic duty to as low as just two officers on other days. In total, but not on one day, around 130 individual officers from Durham will contribute to keeping the Games safe and secure.
While some of the Durham officers travelling to police the Games are general beat officers, the larger number deployed consists of those with specialist skills.
These include public order officers, search teams, dog handlers, authorised firearms officers and police motorcyclists.
The force has also put in place measures to ensure policing across the force area remains unaffected. Annual leave has been restricted, non-essential training postponed and working arrangements reviewed to ensure any potential gaps in staffing are backfilled.
“I can reassure our local communities that policing across the force area will be very much business as usual during the Games,” said Asst Chief Constable Michael Banks.
“We have known for some time the likely extent of our mutual aid commitments, which has enabled us to plan well ahead. I am confident we have the resources in place to ensure the public of County Durham and Darlington continue to receive an excellent policing service throughout the period of the Games,” he said.
“We are also very appreciative of the professionalism shown by staff whose annual leave plans have been disrupted. There was always going to be an impact on them and their families and their willingness to be flexible with their arrangements has made the planning process much easier.”
The main local involvement in the Olympics will take place when the torch relay goes through County Durham and Darlington on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June. It also passes through Barnard Castle the following Wednesday, 20th June.
“We have been working with neighbouring forces, local authorities and other agencies to organise the smooth planning of the relay in our area. Everyone is looking forward to what I am sure will be a successful event,” said Mr Banks.
