With the biggest sporting event on the planet set to hit UK shores in a year and a half, planning to ensure a safe and secure 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is picking up pace in South Wales and progressing well.
This summer South Wales Police is looking to use live events at the Millennium Stadium such as the pre-World Cup rugby matches as test runs for the Olympic policing operation.
Head of Planning for the Games in-Force, Chief Inspector Steve Furnham said:
“We’ve already participated in practise security events with national colleagues to develop a better understanding of how we will link up with our partner agencies come Games-time.
“Policing events at the Millennium Stadium this summer will give us an ideal opportunity to put into practise the lessons learnt on our home turf around linking in with the national coordination and communication systems required for 2012, and how we will feed into the National Olympic Coordination Centre (NOCC) for the UK-wide policing operation for the Games.”
The NOCC will be the multi-agency control hub for the Games led by Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison of the Metropolitan Police as the National Olympic Security Coordinator.
Gold command units from police and partner groups across the UK will link in to the structure.
Chief Inspector Furnham added: “The Millennium Stadium and Cardiff as a city is well-known across the country for the fantastic live events held here, be it sport or music.
“South Wales Police are well-rehearsed in policing major events that have had international attention, such as rugby World Cup matches and the FA Cup Final, so we’ll be looking to build on that experience to support the Games in 2012.
South Wales Police is one of only eleven UK police forces hosting an Olympic venue for the 2012 Games.
With football kicking off on 25th July 2012, two days before the official Opening Ceremony, plans are for the first event of the Games to be on the South Wales patch.
9 days of football events are expected at the Stadium in total.
Chief Inspector Furnham said: “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.
“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.”
Gerry Toms, Millennium Stadium General Manager said:
“We’re looking forward to working with officers at South Wales Police in the lead up to hosting football events in July 2012 so that both local and international visitors can feel safe throughout the Games and enjoy the sport on offer.”
