Final policing preparations for G7 Summit in Cornwall

On 25 May, Devon and Cornwall Police allowed reporters to watch firearms officers going through their paces and drone pilots practising their skills as final preparations were made for the  G7 summit in Cornwall next month.

Police have said that they face a range of obstacles in protecting the event, which it describes as the largest operation in its history. This includes liaising with foreign leaders’ security details, holding an event secure during the start of the holiday period in the region and protecting drones along the coast.

Police said the airspace above Cornwall would be largely shut over the weekend of the summit and they were working with pilots of civilian drones, light aircraft and paragliders to make them aware of the restrictions.

Activists are expected to disrupt the summit. Resist G7, a coalition of groups planning to protest at the summit, said on Tuesday: “It is clear the summit will cause massive disruption. The police are likely to try and blame most of this on protesters. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Even if there wasn’t a single protest, the community would be faced with utter chaos.

“We didn’t ask for the G7 to take place in Cornwall and those of us who live here are angry about it being on our doorstep. Time and again the police are othering protesters. They want local people to believe that protesters are outsiders, coming to Cornwall to disrupt their lives. But in truth, many of those protesting live and work in Cornwall.”

Information events are being held in St Ives, Carbis Bay, Lelant, Hayle, Newquay and Falmouth over the next week ahead of the G7 Summit in Cornwall. The events will offer more information on everything from security to road closures and restrictions.