"I don't care if the President of the United States wants to see cute-looking British Bobbies lining the streets"
The chair of the Devon and Cornwall Police Federation is calling for officers policing the G7 summit to have the correct PPE to prevent any injuries
Thousands of police officers working on the G7 Summit in Cornwall must be properly kitted up to deal with potentially violent protests - even if world leaders might be expecting to see traditional British Bobbies keeping them safe.
That is the message from Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Chair Andy Berry, who has highlighted the importance of the thousands of officers policing the summit having the correct PPE to stop them being injured - including where necessary helmets and shields.
The G7 Summit is being held in Carbis Bay on 11-13 June and will be attended by leaders including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, American President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
It is the biggest police operation the force has ever seen, with officers from Devon and Cornwall Police being joined by some 5,000 colleagues from across the UK in a mutual aid operation to assist in policing what are expected to be mass protests and demonstrations.
"I don't care if the President of the United States Joe Biden wants to see cute-looking British Bobbies lining the streets, that's the least of my concerns. Public and political perception must not come into it. I want those Bobbies to be properly attired and protected, so if it goes wrong they've got the best chance of coming away without an injury.
"We have said to the force: 'Please reassure us that cops aren't going to be unnecessarily put at risk'. It's certainly a concern when we know that there are going to be protests. We hope they're not going to be violent protests, but it feels like there's a high likelihood of it and we don't want to see officers injured. They shouldn't be. We should be prepared for it."
Andy Berry - Chair of Devon and Cornwall Police Federation
The importance of officers wearing the proper protective kit was highlighted last month after a PC sustained a significant slash wound to his face after being attacked by protestors at Old Trafford football ground in Manchester. Officers in London have also been attacked and left bloodied during recent anti-lockdown protests in the capital.
Both the Metropolitan Police Federation and Greater Manchester Police Federation called for their colleagues to be appropriately equipped - including with helmets and shields - when policing protests. Andy agreed, saying that police officers had been injured too often in recent months due to not wearing the right gear.
"It's about ensuring we don't put members in harm's way. We're not there to be spat at, kicked, punched, and have bottles and bricks thrown at us. We're at the G7 Summit to facilitate peaceful protest and to keep world leaders safe."