Police face a huge task in dealing with a double extravaganza in Merseyside this weekend.David Bartlett reports

THE biggest-ever policing operation in Merseyside will take place this weekend as hundreds of thousands of people flock to the region.

More than 70 Tall Ships will arrive at docks on the Mersey today and tomorrow, while the Open Golf at Royal Birkdale also starts today.

The organisers of both events are urging people to use public transport where possible.

Visitors will be able to board ships at Sandon and Wellington Docks in north Liverpool, while one and a half miles away at Albert Dock visitors will not be able to board the ships.

People will also be able to board the RFA Lyme Bay, at the Liverpool Cruise Liner Terminal, at the Pier Head.

Viewing and boarding of ships runs from noon to 10pm tomorrow, and between 10am and 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The event will culminate with the spectacular Parade of Sail along the Mersey on Monday at 2pm, when thousands of people are expected to line the banks of the river.

The fleet will then head to an area off the coast of Northern Ireland for the five-week race to Den Helder, Netherlands, which begins on Wednesday.

With around 800,000 visitors expected over the four days, the maritime extravaganza has been five years in the planning.

Chief Supt Steve Ashley, silver commander for the Tall Ships event, said: “The planning that has been done is the most extensive I have ever seen.

“All rest days for officers in Merseyside have been cancelled.

“In terms of officers on duty, it is the biggest number we have seen deployed.”

He said it was certainly likely to be the largest policing operation Merseyside police had ever carried out over a weekend.

Chief Supt Ashley said visitors should follow some simple rules to have an enjoyable time.

These are: leave plenty of time for travel, take care of valuables – and be patient.

He said the traffic management plan had been examined by forces across the country to ensure it ran smoothly.

“I am not naive, I know there will be hiccups across the weekend, so the key message for us is for people to be patient.”

There are 6,000 car parking spaces at park and ride sites at Aintree Racecourse, near John Lennon Airport in Speke, and Hooton Park Airfield on Wirral – costing £8 per car.

Bus services will operate between 9.15am and 9.15pm, and there will also be £1 shuttles between Albert Dock and Wellington and Sandon Docks, which are also close to Sandhills Station on the Merseyrail network.

The Lord Nelson ship, which will be berthed at Sandon Half-Tide Dock, is fully accessible to wheelchair users.