Devon & Cornwall Police ready for Rugby World Cup in Exeter
It is now officially Rugby World Cup Year in Exeter and across the UK.
Devon and Cornwall Police have been planning for this prestigious event since March 2014. A specialist team of officers has been working with management at Sandy Park rugby stadium and with a multitude of partner agencies including England 2015, the world cup organisers, and local authorities.
Placing Exeter on the world stage means that the team has planned for the security of visiting heads of state and politicians from around the world, and are aware of any potential risks.
Devon and Cornwall Police will also police the traffic management plans put in place by Devon County Council, Exeter City Council and the Highways Agency.
Inspector Richard Hooper-Bennett, part of the police planning team for Rugby World Cup 2015, explains that there are many other elements to consider in the policing plan:
"From the traditional behaviour of rugby fans we don’t anticipate trouble and disruption. There are many things to keep an eye on, not least ticket touts given the massive popularity of the Rugby World Cup. We'll be at the stadium and fanzones but our presence will be very discreet in line with the national policy of England 2015."
As well as matches at Sandy Park, there are events in the city at designated "fanzones", such as screening games on large screens set up in the open air.
Police are confident that the sporting event which starts in September, with Sandy Park as one of 13 host venues, will go off smoothly and safely with its comprehensive and detailed planning, named Operation Blackjack.
Chief Inspector Daniel Evans leads the team in charge of operational policing of the event as Silver Commander. He said: "We have been planning our response with partner agencies for some time, identifying areas that could prove problematic or require the police to have an organisational or physical presence.
"It's a huge privilege for us to be hosting such an event in Exeter, I'm sure the City's reputation as a venue for such a large scale sporting event will be significantly enhanced."
