Police officers and Cornish communities praised following G7 summit
The photos of cops posing for the cameras with local kids have been amazing
The communities of Cornwall are being praised following the success of the G7 summit.
It was a week like no other in the Duchy as Carbis Bay hosted the world leaders for three days of talks.
A secure zone was set up, miles of diversions were in force around St Ives and Newquay, and Falmouth hosted hundreds of journalists from all around the world.
Now with the event done and dusted, and with the last of the G7 restrictions lifted, our police force is thanking the people of Cornwall for their cooperation.
"The public were absolutely on point, because we had to facilitate lawful, peaceful demonstration in communities, and the movement of high-profile people, and of course the fantastic visit from Her Majesty The Queen, and the public made that possible, I am extremely grateful for that.
"We're stretched thin at the best of times, that's not a complaint it's a reality, and neighbourhood and community policing is our core, and so we tried to set that tone and we had the numbers to deliver that. But it is a two-way street, and the public I really do thank them."
Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable, Devon and Cornwall Police
But locals have also been taking to social media to share their thanks and appreciation to the thousands of police officers who were stationed around the Duchy.
Around 6,500 officers were deployed here for the week of the summit, with 5,000 of those coming here on mutual aid from every other force across the country.
Embracing the G7 and all that came with it, people have been posting selfies with cops from other forces and sharing stories of how they let kids wear police hats and sit in their vehicles.
"We tried to minimise the disruption and the overwhelming majority of people accepted that and did work with it. And in some parts, particularly down towards Carbis Bay and St Ives and parts of Falmouth they actually embraced it, because what else was there to do, if you didn't embrace it you were going to spend a lot of days complaining. I accept that some did and again I apologise, but in the main they embraced it and created the environment.
"This is the largest policing operation, plus we were policing in the times of Covid, plus we had a lot of people here, that could not have been achieved without the residents of Cornwall."
Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable, Devon and Cornwall Police
Devon and Cornwall Police Federation has also praised officers from the force and across the country for their dedication and hard work after a ‘long hot week’.
Only a handful of arrests were made during the operation, and pleasingly no officers were injured as protests and demonstrations from several groups largely took place peacefully.
“From a policing point of view, we achieved everything we wanted to; it was a safe event which passed off free of disruption.
“We have to thank all the officers involved, as it was their hard work which delivered the event, and a thank you too to all the Devon and Cornwall officers who have kept the ‘business as usual’ policing going despite long hours and shift changes.
“It was a real team effort.”
Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Chair, Andy Berry
Andy said officers had also received a fantastic response from the Cornish public despite the disruption.
“The public were amazing and really cheered up officers tired of all the long hours; there were some really positive examples of police engagement, kids dressed up in police uniforms and posing for photos with officers, for instance.
“They even brought out officers drinks and chairs to sit on if they needed one, so it was very positive, and a big thank you has to go to the public for the way they welcomed everybody – officers have enjoyed getting that positive feedback.
“As far as I’m aware, no officers were injured, which is a massive result.”
Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Chair, Andy Berry
The hot weather had put extra emphasis on officer welfare throughout the event, Andy added, and the Federation, alongside welfare van support from other forces, made sure they had what they needed to get the job done.
“It was a long hot week, so our Reps were out there supplying water, sun cream and insect repellent where it was needed.
“There was a 24-hour welfare line, and we got out there and visited officers wherever we could at cordons and feeding centres.
Given the high-profile nature of the event and the threat it could be destabilised by potentially violent protests, it was a relief and that it passed off with any significant issues, Andy added.
“There were very few arrests, few crimes and only as we understand it only four complaints against officers, all of which is incredible, it was surprising, and it was a big ask on us as a force to put this on in the middle of a pandemic.
“There were bumps, and there were bound to be in an event of this scale, but everyone worked really hard to overcome them.
“I’m very proud of everyone involved.”
Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Chair, Andy Berry