Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands worked together with the region’s forces and over 2000 mutual aid staff to ensure athletes, spectators, staff and members of the public were able to enjoy a safe and secure Games. Events such as these need a strong protective security plan and communications plays a key role.
Communication planning started years before the Games arrived in Birmingham and a schedule of tailored communications was developed to provide the public with key safety messages and advice throughout the competition.
Part of this involved CT Policing West Midlands working closely with Team England athletes to create safety videos which provided security messages and advice for the public about the safety measures in place during the Games period. These included bag checks at venues, a network of CCTV and a team of security and hospitality staff ready to welcome spectators at venues.
The Team England athletes helping to promote the Games security measures included Joe Fraser competing in Artistic Gymnastics, Daniel Powell and Kelly Petersen-Pollard from the Judo team, Laura Zialor from High Jump and Delicious Orie from Team England Boxing. All five athletes are from the West Midlands, paying tribute to the region hosting this year’s Games.
The athletes also encouraged the public to trust their instincts and report anything which doesn’t feel right to security staff or the police, or anonymously at gov.uk/ACT.
The videos were posted on social media throughout the Games period and reached an audience of over 140,000. They were also shared with sporting venues to use in stadiums and event locations across the region.
Additionally, safety messages from Counter Terrorism Policing’s Summer Vigilance campaign were continuously promoted to remind everyone to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings, and report anything which doesn’t feel right.
Superintendent Tim Martin, CT Policing West Midlands operational lead during the Commonwealth Games, said: “In this sporting competition – the biggest event our region has ever hosted and policed – the athletes are at the absolute forefront, so we were really pleased to have them on-board and hear them delivering our key messages.
“Communication was crucial in ensuring spectators and staff felt reassured and confident to report anything unusual when at the events, and we are pleased to have delivered a safe Birmingham 2022.”
