300 officers stand by for festivities

Aug 23 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

300 officers stand by for festivities

AROUND 300 police officers will be on duty in Liverpool city centre on Bank Holiday Monday – the same number that would have been used had the full Mathew Street festival taken place.

The policing costs for scaled down events on Sunday and Monday will cost £285,000, of which £110,000 will be over-time pay for officers working on the Monday.

Last night, Merseyside Ass- istant Chief Constable Helen King, who will be in charge of policing over the weekend, said: “Policing will be at a level to enable us to deal with whatever comes up on the days. We are anticipating the weekend is going to be very busy and our policing plans for Liverpool will reflect this.”

The force will be using 300 officers on the Bank Holiday Monday when people will flock to the city centre for the scaled down festival.

Around 150 officers will be on duty on Sunday. Although the street stages have been scrapped, police do not know how many people will arrive in the city centre, particularly on the Monday.

The policing level is aimed at ensuring there is enough cover should larger than expected crowds turn up on the Monday.

Liverpool Culture Company are also expected to have a number of stewards on duty to guide visitors to 75 indoor venues where events are taking place.

ACC King said: “Our officers will be giving general advice to the public. We anticipate it running smoothly and want visitors to have an enjoyable time when they visit the city centre.”

The police decision to provide an enhanced operation throughout the Bank Holiday weekend is because the holiday is part of celebrations for Liverpool's 800th birthday, which falls on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for Mersey-side Police said last night: “The force has not reduced the number of officers on patrol during the weekend, even though there are no outdoor stages this year.”

A road closure programme has been put in place by the Liverpool Culture Company, in conjunction with Liverpool Council over the weekend, as well as on Tuesday.

The law preventing drinking alcohol on the streets remains in place.

FOR the most up-to-date list of venues staging events visit the Daily Post’s website: www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk

larryneild