Safe And Secure Games Delivered In Dorset

The Olympic and Paralympic safety and security operation has drawn to a close in Dorset - with a safe and secure Games successfully delivered.

The security operation began on Saturday 14 July 2012 when the first athletes arrived at the Olympic Sailing Village on Portland - the only other athletes' village outside of London

The operation concluded on Sunday 9 September 2012 with the Paralympics closing ceremony.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said:

"Since the Olympic Opening Ceremony Dorset police has made 30 arrests that have been identified by the force as related to the Olympic Games.

"These comprise five for theft, two for burglary, five for criminal damage, two in connection with drugs matters and 16 for drunkenness and violence related matters.

"There have not been any arrests for Olympic specific matters, such as ticket touting, and those that have been made have been classed as Olympic related because the national definition for that category includes the geographic location of the arrest, irrespective of whether the parties involved had anything to do with the Games or not."

Paying tribute to all involved in the security operation, ACC Adrian Whiting said:

"The safety and security operation in Dorset this summer has been the biggest in Dorset Police history.

"It has been the culmination of extensive planning and partnership working - which began back in 2005 when the Games were awarded to London with the sailing events to be at Weymouth and Portland.

"The success of the security operation in Dorset has undoubtedly been down to the support and vigilance of local communities and visitors, and to the hard work and commitment of our police officers, police staff and partners - including those officers and staff working in Dorset on mutual aid for the operation."

Dorset Police was assisted by a number of officers from police forces around the country during the security
operation - co-ordinated nationally through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

As well as support from local authority and emergency service partners, particularly through the Bournemouth,
Dorset & Poole Local Resilience Forum - the Olympic and Paralympic safety and security operation in Dorset was supported by all the armed forces - Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.

ACC Whiting said:

"We have been incredibly well supported by all the Armed Forces in the lead up to, and during, the operation itself. This includes 43 Wessex Brigade on land and the RAF who assisted to deliver restrictions on airspace.

"We also worked closely with the Royal Navy, with police equipment and people integrated into Royal Navy facilities on board HMS Bulwark for the duration of the maritime security operation."

July 2012 saw one of the most intense periods of operational activity for Dorset Police, followed by a number of significant events in the county in August 2012.

ACC Whiting continued:

"As well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a number of significant incidents earlier in the summer rendered this a challenging time for the Force. In addition, the Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole Local Resilience Forum has been focused on a number of other big events in the county, including the Bournemouth Air Festival, the Great Dorset Steam Fair and the Dorset County Show.

"Despite the challenges we have experienced this summer, Dorset remains one of the safest places to live, work and visit and our communities should be reassured by the continued commitment of all local partners to keep Dorset
safe."