A security operation begins this week in Birmingham as West Midlands Police prepare for the Conservative Party Conference on Sunday (2 October).
This is a major event for the city and our Force, with over 11,000 delegates visiting Birmingham over the duration of conference.
Poloce have established an excellent reputation as a conference force in recent years, and this is the seventh time officers have mounted this type of complex, multi-faceted operation in the city.
Additional officers will be carrying out high visibility patrols in the vicinity of the ICC and armed officers will also be out on patrol during the conference.
The security operation has been months in the planning and has involved close working with Birmingham City Council, the International Convention Centre (ICC), Hyatt Regency Birmingham and many other partners.
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Throughout this week work will be underway to secure Hyatt Regency Birmingham and the ICC ahead of the start of the conference, which will involve a number of road restrictions
Cambridge Street (between Civic Close and Brindley Drive) and Bridge Street will be closed from Tuesday 27 September, with Broad Street (between Gas Street and Paradise Circus) closed from Wednesday 28 September, until Thursday 6 October and there will be additional restrictions on Cambridge Street on the 23 September.
Nearby residents and businesses have been sent a letter explaining how they will be affected by the security operation. The information will also be available on the Birmingham City Council website.
The restrictions will be lifted and the security operation will scale down when the conference ends on Wednesday 5 October.
Motorists are reminded to allow extra time for their journey if they are travelling into the city centre and we thank them in advance for their patience and understanding.
Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby, who is leading the operation, said: “We’re 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.
“”I want to stress that there has been no specific intelligence received relating to a threat to the conference and everything we are doing is as a precaution.