Police launch operation to keep the Conservative conference safe
AS THE spotlight turns on Birmingham for the Conservative Party Conference a massive security operation has swung into action across the city.
A team of sniffer dogs has spent the week searching every nook and cranny of the International Convention Centre for explosives and police officers have been sealing off all manhole covers within 300 metres of the venue.
West Midlands Police dog handler Sue Cheek, who has been searching the convention centre all week with her Springer Spaniel Nutz, said it was meticulous but necessary work.
She said: “It’s a busy time for us. We’ve got a team of dogs from West Midlands and other forces coming in because it is such a big event and takes such a long time. We’ve been searching and sealing the ICC and making sure it’s safe for the conference, making sure everyone has a good time, that it is safe and nobody gets injured or hurt.”
Sgt John Reece, leading the team responsible for checking and sealing manholes in Centenary Square, said: “Basically, we have to open all of the drains, all of the sewers, all of the voids, all of the street furniture. Search those to make sure they are safe and then seal them. These are the areas where, if anybody was so minded to place a device, it would be the obvious place.”
During the four days of the conference an estimated 10,000 delegates will descend on Birmingham to hear speeches both at the ICC and at several outdoor fringe venues in the city centre.
Thousands of extra police officers have been enlisted to provide security during the event although West Midlands Police has not released an exact figure.
In addition, a Dorset Police speed boat will patrol the canals to provide extra police presence near to Brindley Place and the Mailbox.
Security to get into the ICC itself will be extremely tight with all visitors having had to go through a series of checks months in advance to get a photocard ID.
West Midland Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hyde, who is in charge of the security operation, said every step had been taken to ensure the event runs smoothly.
He said: “This is a very high security operation. We are providing a very secure environment for about 10,000 delegates who are coming here for the Conservative Party Conference. We are using the same techniques as we did for Labour. This is slightly bigger but we hope to deliver a safe, a very sensitive and a successful conference”
Mr Hyde said despite some road closures, disruption to people living in the city would be kept to a minimum.
He said: “There is a minor traffic diversion in Broad Street, but in Broad Street itself, all the pubs and the clubs are open for business and we would invite people to come down and enjoy themselves.”
