A massive security operation will begin in Birmingham next week as police prepare for the Conservative Party Conference, which starts on October 2. Extra officers are being drafted in to carry out high visibility patrols near to the International Convention Centre (ICC) and armed officers will also be out on patrol during the conference. The huge security operation has been months in the planning and is set to cost more than 2.5 million.
Plans are also in place for the People s Assembly protest and march, which takes place between Victoria Square and Millennium Point on Sunday.
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Throughout the coming week work will begin to secure the Hyatt and ICC ahead of the start of the conference, which will involve a number of road restrictions. Broad Street and Cambridge Street will have restrictions for vehicles from Sunday, October 2 until Thursday, October 6. The roads will remain open for pedestrians, but there will be additional restrictions on those roads and Bridge Street on September 28 and 29.
Nearby residents and businesses have been sent a letter explaining how they will be affected by the security operation and the information is also available on the Birmingham City Council website.
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The restrictions will be lifted and the security operation will scale down when the conference ends on Wednesday October 5. Superintendent Darren Miles, who is leading the operation, said: We are proud to be able to play our part in this event and are confident that we will provide a safe and secure environment for all those who attend the conference and for everyone who lives and works in Birmingham.
We will have armed officers on patrol as part of our plans. They are there as a precaution and to provide reassurance.
I want to stress that there has been no specific intelligence received relating to a threat to the conference and everything we are doing forms part of our safety plans.
Members of the public are our eyes and ears in the city and I d remind anyone who sees anything suspicious, or that causes concern, to speak to one of our officers or call 101 as soon as possible.
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West Midlands Police s Strategic Police And Crime Board was told earlier this month that 2.1 million of government cash had been handed over to help pay for policing the conference. Labour Police Crime Commissioner David Jamieson has welcomed the event to the city, but says local taxpayers should not have to make up a 460,000 funding shortfall.
The Commissioner revealed that the planning element is not covered by Home Office funding and he has now written to Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, about the issue.
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He said: For big events like the Conservative Party Conference, a dedicated planning team of 24 officers and staff is required. The team from West Midlands Police began work for this year s conference last autumn and is costing approximately 460,000.
That s 460,000 the Home Office will not pay for.
With Birmingham set to host the Conservative Party Conference again in 2018 and 2020, the next four years could cost the force 1.5m if this issue is not resolved.
