July 27, 2010 was exactly two years away from going for Gold and hosting the biggest sporting event on the planet at London 2012 Olympics.
With the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games now just two years away, planning to ensure a safe and secure Games is well underway and progressing well.
South Wales Police is one of only eleven UK police forces hosting an Olympic venue, namely the Millennium Stadium, which will hold a number of football games for the Olympic Football Tournament during the Games.
Assistant Chief Constable of Specialist Crime, Mr Matt Jukes, and Superintendent Steve Furnham, who is heading up planning for the Games in-force, last week attended Exercise ‘Citius Torch’, the first of a series of planned national Olympic security exercises.
Held in Central London and opened by Seb Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), over 200 police and emergency personnel attended the two-day table-top exercise, which presented a series of developing scenarios – from the combined effects of a heat wave and traffic problems through to a terrorist attack.
These fictional scenarios allowed the police service and partner agencies to test the new national coordination and communication systems required for 2012, as well as developing an understanding of the command chain and examining the required links between the new National Olympic Coordination Centre (NOCC) for safety and security, government, LOCOG and other key elements such as transport and intelligence.
Superintendent Steve Furnham, who is heading up planning for the Games in force said:
“Exercise ‘Citius Torch’ was the first of many upcoming security practise events, and allowed us to better understand how we will link up with our partner agencies come Games-time to effectively deliver safe and secure celebrations throughout the summer of 2012.
“We have a wealth of experience in policing major events, and contributing towards the policing of the legendary Olympic and Paralympic games will be another opportunity for us to show our professionalism as a police service.
“Our aim is to be visible, supportive and reassuring, so that the 2012 summer of celebration can remain focused on the enjoyment of sport and not the security operation.
“We’re looking forward to working with our partners so that all the athletes involved can enjoy what will be the pinnacle of their sporting careers, and so our communities can enjoy the spirit of the Games.
“Planning for the Games is in the early stages in South Wales, but participating in national exercises such as ‘Citius Torch’ with our partners is helping us to ensure we are going in the right direction. Being a hosting venue for the Games is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and we’re really excited to be a part of it.”
