G7 summit: 6,500 officers and 100 police dogs to be deployed in Cornwall

Over 100 accommodation bases will be needed, and over 100,000 meals

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 15th Apr 2021
Last updated 15th Apr 2021

It has been revealed that around 6,500 police officers will be working in Cornwall for the G7 summit.

That is how many will be deployed during the event in total, with around 5,000 of those being on what is called 'mutual aid'.

That means officers from other forces coming to work with Devon and Cornwall Police under their command.

The figures have been revealed by officers in charge of policing the world leaders event, which is taking place in Carbis Bay in June.

Police say the G7 will be the biggest policing and security event in England this year.

This week a new website has launched, for how the G7 will be policed, and another Facebook live event has been held with updates from officials.

It has also been announced that no trains will be running on the St Ives branch line from the 7th to 14th June, with replacement buses running instead.

"We will be policing air, sea and land, it's quite a complex environment.

"You are likely to see high numbers of officers and staff, you are also likely to see fencing around the main areas, but that is nothing to be alarmed by, this is to ensure we can keep the event safe and secure, and keep communities safe."

Superintendent Jo Hall, Devon and Cornwall Police

More details have also been released about the logistical side of policing the event.

Over 100 police dogs and their handlers will also be in Cornwall for the summit.

Along with the thousands of extra officers, that means the force will need to provide around 100,000 meals for staff.

"Part of that planning is to deliver 16,000 meals a day, we have secured over 100 accommodation sites in Cornwall, we have secured extra kenneling for our dogs that are coming down to support us.

"It is a really big logistical challenge, but we have planned for events like this before, we're used to planning big events and our plans are agile and scale-able."

Superintendent Jo Hall

Public health officials in the Duchy say they are used to dealing with large numbers of visitors in Cornwall and their main priority is to protect the health and safety of residents.

Police say anyone who doesn't need to be in the locations of key events should think about avoiding those areas.

"Summer is always busy for Cornwall. and you can expect restrictions around the key areas and in the run-up to and over the event, that's only natural with an event of this size.

"So if you don't need to be around those areas over the event, then you may want to think about coming another time or visiting one of the other beautiful beaches in Cornwall."

Superintendent Jo Hall

You can watch Wednesday night's Facebook live event below...

Read more:

St Ives branch line to be closed for a week for G7 Summit in Cornwall

New website goes live - for how G7 Summit in Cornwall will be policed

You can hear all the latest news on the hour, every hour.