Police reaffirm support for Remembrance Sunday parades
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has received support from his Police and Crime Panel over plans to adopt a fresh approach to policing Remembrance parades across the two counties.
Leicestershire Police had previously carried out a review of police attendance at Remembrance Sunday events in 2017 and earlier this year Rupert Matthews requested further clarification after concerns had been raised with him regarding confusion over the role of the police at these commemorations.
The Force held discussions with all local MPs, the Royal British Legion, Local Resilience Forum and Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) and has now set out new guidelines outlining the role officers and the Force will play in policing future Remembrance services.
In a report presented to the PCC's Police and Crime Panel, the Force said it would continue to support services to pay respects and honour the fallen but set out changes to its approach in line with Authorised Professional Practice (APP) which ensures every deployment represents the best value and use of resources.
The new approach means:
- There will be a visible police presence at most parades to engage with the community and maintain public safety.
- A risk assessment will be carried out for every parade.
- The Local Authority and event organisers will take primacy for traffic control. While Leicestershire Police will remain responsible for the enforcement of any authorised Traffic Orders in the event of a breach, Police Officers and PCSOs will not be routinely involved in traffic control unless a situation occurs which places the public at risk.
- A threat assessment will be obtained and a dedicated Counter Terrorism Security Coordinator (CT SecCo) appointed to produce a plan as part of Remembrance Sunday planning. The coordinator will attend de-briefs, pre-meets and site visits ahead of events to discuss security.
- A dedicated silver commander and supporting events structure will be identified and put in place for Remembrance Sunday.
- Remembrance events will be discussed at the quarterly Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings for both the City and the Counties.
- The Force will continue to actively encourage and support officers and staff to attend Remembrance Sunday events as representatives of the Force to pay their respects.
Mr Matthews said: "I am pleased the Police and Crime Panel supports this new guidance which reaffirms the Force's support for Remembrance Sunday services and clarifies its responsibilities.
"Remembrance Sunday is a hugely important commemorative event bringing communities together to ensure those who lost their lives in battle are justly remembered and honoured. However, the responsibilities and demands of modern policing are growing and resources continue to be stretched during these austere times. It is helpful that the Force has considered carefully its duties during these public events to manage expectations and ensure that support is managed in the best possible way to protect the public and utilise officer time and resources in the most effective way possible."
