Armed Forces to support police in Cornwall for G7

The Ministry of Defence has announced that hundreds of personnel from across the three services will support Devon and Cornwall Police during the G7 Leaders’ Summit this weekend.

Devon and Cornwall Police have led on plans to ensure the summit is delivered in a safe and secure way for local communities and dignitaries with wide-ranging support from the Ministry of Defence.

Defence are providing a range of capabilities including naval vessels, aircraft, planning staff, logistics support, facilities and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. The Armed Forces have vast experience in supporting events of this nature and will help the local police force to maintain security for the many visitors to the area and the local communities.

At the request of Devon and Cornwall Police, Defence is providing explosive search dogs and handlers who will be under police command. Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are on standby as they are every day, and additional resources will deploy to the area for the event.

Defence is also providing facilities to support the delivery of the summit, including RNAS Culdrose and RAF St Mawgan. Defence will also help the police to secure and maintain security for the duration of the summit by providing air defence capabilities and a T23 frigate, HMS Northumberland will be positioned off the coast in addition to other naval assets.

Hundreds of Armed Forces personnel will be supporting the police force in a variety of roles, including drivers and wider logistical support. Those supporting the police are helping to free up police resources for front line roles.

Commodore Rob Pedre RN, Commander Littoral Strike Group and the head of the military operation supporting Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “Over the next week, the Armed Forces will be providing hundreds of personnel, as well as naval vessels and aircraft, to support the Police in providing a safe and secure G7 Summit. We are proud to be involved in this monumental event, and to help enable a global forum where leading democracies will tackle the biggest issues facing the world today.”