Birmingham 2022: drones and dogs part of police security operation

With just 100 days to go before the official start of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, West Midlands Police are gearing up for the biggest operation in the force’s history.

The force have been planning for the iconic event since the region won the bid back in 2017, and there are now over 80 officers and staff working on planning all the different aspects of the complex policing operation.

The Games take place over four different force areas from 28 July to 7 August, and while WMP are the lead force they are working with partners in Warwickshire, Staffordshire and the Met in London.

Police dogs and drones part of security operation

Drones will be used as part of the search operations at venues.

Chief Superintendent Steve Graham, said: “Our whole operation is based on us working together as one – this includes colleagues from other forces, as well as our blue light services partners, such as fire and ambulance and British Transport Police, who will looking after everyone on the transport network.

“In order to continue our core policing duties outside of the Birmingham 2022 events, we will be bringing in over 2000 additional officers from forces across the country so our communities will continue to be served by our officers.

“We have had teams embedded in Games venues for the past 18 months, including as part of the construction teams building the Sandwell Aquatics Centre and the Alexander Stadium. Our specialist search teams have been part of the security planning across all the venues that will be used at Games time. This will continue and increase as we get closer to July.

“We will also have a number of specialist functions available to us at Games time. We are already using our force drones as part of the search operations at venues but we will also use them during Games time for that birds eye view and to help with traffic operations and keeping the region moving.

Combined with our dogs, firearms, traffic and surveillance teams working across 15 venues and additional festival sites, you can see what a significant operation it is.

“We have recently selected 40 officers who will form the Queen’s Baton protection team. They will be running alongside the 2000 baton bearers through the baton’s journey around the UK ensuring the safety of those taking part in the relay and the baton itself.”

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