Policing preparations for Commonwealth Games 'on track'

Around 3,000 officers will be needed to police the Birmingham Games in 2022. Around 1,000 of those are expected to come from West Midlands Police, 15 per cent of the force, while the rest will be drafted in from other forces.

Thousands of volunteers will also be brought in to ensure the four-week event runs smoothly.

West Midlands Police Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Waheed Saleem said he was confident dedicated officers and military personnel would ensure the Games pass off safely.

He told the latest Strategic Police and Crime Board: "Three thousand officers, including a significant proportion from other forces, will be required as part of the security operation for the games.

"Planning is well under way, on budget and on track to ensure a safe games in 2022. To support those officers and military personnel we will be looking to recruit thousands of volunteers to help during the games and hopefully beyond too."

A report on Games policing presented to the board said: "The Planning Team have a high-level assessment of the number of police officer and police staff resources that will be required to cover the Games deployments across a four-week period.

"The current planning assumption is that up to 3,000 officers will be required, and it is envisaged that around 1,000 (around 15 per cent of WMP’s current establishment) will be from WMP, the balance of 2,000 coming from mutual aid."

Games organisers last week said they were "confident" the Games remained on course after plans for an athletes' village in Perry Barr were abandoned due to spiralling costs.

Construction on a £73 million aquatics centre to host swimming and diving events in 2022 is under way in Smethwick.