Special Constables to police Olympic Games

UK Law enforcement is proud to announce the deployment of 50 Special Constables as part of the policing support package for #Paris2024.

Later this month millions of visitors from across the world will travel to France for the iconic Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It is estimated around 500,000 tickets have been sold within the UK – making the country the second largest buyer of tickets behind France.

In April it was confirmed that officers from forces across the UK and its Crown Dependencies would be deployed to help support French officers across Paris and in Marseille, who are leading the security and engagement operation. Specialist search dogs and their handlers will also be in attendance to help with venue security.

In addition to those expert resources, 50 passionate volunteer officers from across the UK will head to France from August to help bolster the response. This is the first time Special Constables have been included in an overseas deployment. They will be joining hundreds of officers from across the globe, who have been deployed to offer their support.

Temporary Assistant Commissioner, Laurence Taylor, the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for sporting and planned events praised the drive and determination of the volunteers.

“This is an iconic event and we are incredibly proud to be playing such a key role.

“The security and engagement operation being planned by the French authorities is huge and our involvement gives us the opportunity to demonstrate the expertise and professionalism of UK policing, on an international level.

“I hope the presence of our Special Constables, who are some of the most dedicated and passionate officers we have in our ranks, will be reassuring and familiar for British visitors. I also hope their presence, working alongside their French counterparts, helps overseas visitors to feel safe, supported and welcome at the event.

“Policing events like this gives our officers the opportunity to learn from international colleagues and hone their skills in an unrivalled environment. Taking this expertise home to their communities is hugely beneficial and I’ve no doubt the Special Constables will do us proud while acquiring a great deal of new skills in the process.”

Dame Menna Rawlings DCMG CVO, British Ambassador to France said:

“We can’t wait to welcome hundreds of thousands of UK ticket holders to Paris for a fantastic summer of sport.  Here in France, we’ve been working closely with our French partners to make sure British people travelling to the Games have everything they need to enjoy a safe visit.  

 “That includes supporting this deployment of police officers and specialist search dogs, sharing security and policing best practice with French colleagues. This draws on the UK’s extensive experience hosting previous major events, including the 2012 Olympics and the Coronation of King Charles III.

“I’m proud that the UK is supporting France to deliver a safe and secure Olympics and Paralympics, in this the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. Let the Games begin!”

 The UK element of this operation is being coordinated by specialist officers from the National Police Coordination Centre, the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and is supported by the Home Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Ministry of Defence and Counter Terrorism Policing UK.

Travellers to France can find the most up to date advice from the UK Government here  

 For the most recent information and updates follow @Paris2024 on X, Instagram and Facebook.  

 For updates on travel follow @BTP, and visit Safety and security - France travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)