Police ready to welcome RWC fans
With the Rugby World Cup 2015 just days away Devon and Cornwall is ready to welcome visitors from across the globe.
Rugby World Cup 2015 begins on September 18th and Exeter’s Sandy Park is one of the venues chosen to host matches.
As well staging three games the city is also hosting 13 Fanzone events in Northernhay Gardens.
Planning for the event has been ongoing for the past 18 months with officers from the Operation Blackjack command team working alongside Exeter Chiefs, Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, the Highways Agency, British Transport Police and the other emergency services to support the event.
Superintendent Dan Evans said: “The Rugby World Cup coming to Exeter is a real boost for the city and something the police are delighted to support. Staging this major sporting event is a huge privilege and something we hope the public support.
“We will have a police presence both at the 13 Fanzone events being held in Northernhay Gardens and at the three matches being staged at Sandy Park, the home of the Exeter Chiefs. Our chief role is really to support the organisers and make sure everyone can enjoy themselves in a safe and relaxed environment, and ensure these events are a celebration of rugby.”
Inspector Brent Davison is heading up the policing support at the Fanzone, he said: “We are all looking forward to the Rugby World Cup getting underway and being part of what we hope will be a carnival atmosphere at the Fanzone in Northernhay Gardens.
“We are reminding people to remain sensible and not get too carried away and drink responsibly. There are numerous trains, taxis and buses running throughout the event. Please don’t drink and drive as you could lose your licence, your job or even take a life - it’s simply not worth the risk.”
The first match of the tournament is England versus Fiji on September 18th, with Sandy Park’s opening match taking place between Tonga and Namibia on September 29th at 4.45pm.
Thirteen Fanzones, organised by Exeter City Council, are free to access and will take place throughout September and October. Spaces will be limited to 5000 people per event. Full details are available here: http://bit.ly/1hQZiCN
Devon and Cornwall Police will also be tweeting advice and information during Sandy Park match days, please follow @DC_Police for the latest.
