September 2012 • Issue 445
For Surrey Police personnel
AFTER YEARS OF
PLANNING...
Olympics
go by in a
flash!
ed
k
c of
a
P ll ic
fu mp s
O l yh o t o
p
OffBeat I September 2012
2012 Olympics and Paralympics Special Souvenir Issue
Inside this
Olympics Special
PAGE 4
Key role for social media
PAGE 5
The Torch burns
bright in Surrey
PAGES 6-10
Celebrating the
road races
PAGE 11
Time Trial
PAGES 12-13
Mutual aid and the
role of volunteers
PAGE 14
Behind the scenes
PAGE 15
Business as usual
OffBeat I September 2012
Chief’sBeat
Many thanks
for a job well
done – you
should all
feel proud
This edition speaks for itself
so there is no need for a
lengthy introduction from me
– just my opportunity to say a
huge thank you to everyone
for all your hard work and
professionalism during the
London Olympics 2012. I
want to say how proud I am
and how proud you should
all be for a fantastic job. Well
done!
Following on from the
successes of the Olympic
cycle races, the final stage
of the Tour of Britain comes
to its challenging climax in
the Surrey Hills, finishing on
Guildford’s uphill, cobbled
streets on Sunday, 16
September. This is the first
time a stage of this event
has been held in Surrey,
passing through many of our
towns and villages en route
from Dorking to Guildford
with an anticipated 15,000
spectators.
I know that many of you will
be involved in the policing of
the race, supported by our
partners in Surrey County
Council, and I am sure that
you will once again showcase
the best of Surrey, engage
positively with the crowds and
facilitate a fun and safe event.
Lynne Owens
Chief Constable
News from the
Surrey Police Authority
Our sincere thanks and
congratulations go to all of
Surrey Police’s officers and
staff for the part they have
played in making the 2012
Olympic and Paralympic
Games the tremendous
successes they have proved
to be.
The Police Authority has
witnessed at first hand just
how much hard work Surrey
Police and partners have done
to prepare for what have been
the biggest sporting events
ever to take place in Surrey.
The Force ensured the
safety and security of Games
events and venues while
maintaining its business as
usual policing service to the
county and this is a testament
to the dedication and flexibility
shown by its officers and
staff to meet the challenge of
a period of unprecedented
demand.
Whether attending the
events in person or watching
them on television, people
from around the world have
seen British policing at its very
best in Surrey.
Peter Williams
SPA Chairman
WELCOME
to our OffBeat Olympics Special Issue
After years of planning, the Olympics and
Paralympics are over. We can now celebrate
our success in policing the biggest sporting
events that are ever likely to happen in Surrey
– while still delivering our business as usual
service.
The Force has received glowing praise in
emails, calls, tweets and letters from everyone
from visitors and members of the public to
partners and even the Prime Minister.
In fact, we’ve received so many pictures
and great feedback that this whole issue of
OffBeat has been turned into an Olympics
Souvenir Special to showcase just some of it.
If you or a member of your family is pictured
and you’d like a printed copy to keep, please
email !offbeat as we’ve had some extra
copies printed.
OffBeat I September 2012
Focus on social media during the 2012 Olympics
The rise of smart phones and Twitter meant that
London 2012 was rightly referred to as the first ‘social
Olympics’. With more tweets sent per day than
during the entire Beijing Games, the risks (as well as
opportunities) were immense.
@lmiles89: Loved your tweets and
race commentary today! brilliant :D
Keep it up! #London2012
@SkyGemma: @SurreyPolice I’ve
got to say, I’ve been finding ur recent
tweets incredibly entertaining :-) As
a fmr Surrey resident, u make me v
proud.
@EmmaMaryWest: Really enjoying
the @SurreyPolice tweets for some
reason. Their social media dept is on
the ball.
@LouLouK: I am liking @SurreyPolice
twitter account more by the second :
O) http://t.co/ZYgrvrEb (& if we cld
get the glasses back too....)
Our most popular tweets
Lost: 1 pair lucky Oakley
Sunglasses. Owner: @L_ArmiTstead.
If found, pls hand them in. She’d
like them back for the #TimeTrial on
Weds... (733 re-tweets)
Chris Froome is currently first in
the #TimeTrial. Average speed of
51kmph (31 miles per hour) – in a 30
zone!! tut tut ;-)
(282 re-tweets)
OffBeat I September 2012
Our planning of our largest ever social
media operation involved the Intelligence
Department, Corporate Communications and
partners (in particular Surrey County Council).
The Olympic Intelligence Cell used social
media to investigate specific targeted
threats – providing intelligence that allowed
the strategic command to prioritise their
resources.
Working closely with Intel was the Media
Cell – including three staff at any time
working exclusively on social media. Their
responsibility was to inform, react and
respond to spectators and the Surrey public
through our own social media accounts (@
SurreyPolice) and the accounts we shared
with our partners (@GoSurreyLive). Some
1,021 tweets were sent from @GoSurreyLive,
while 222 tweets were posted from @
SurreyPolice.
During the event, we monitored over 120
different searches, responded to over 400
questions and were re-tweeted more than
2,500 times.
222 TWEETS SENT BY @SURREYPOLICE
2,500 RE-TWEETS
The Torch comes to Surrey – 10, 17, 20 July 2012
rosswilde2710: So good to see
@SurreyPolice being cheered
and getting the crowds going in
Guildford tonight #olympicflame
made me proud
simon_i_pinto: @SurreyPolice @
CSuptStephens Olympic torch
run through Reigate resounding
success thanks to a superb team
of dedicated Surrey Officers :)
aboutthewrapper: Fantastic
celebrations in #Godalming today,
well done to @SurreyPolice for
making it a day to remember
#olympicflame!
kimiikoo: Thought @SurreyPolice
did an amazing job at the relay in
Guildford. Awesome atmosphere
and great fun on the High St.
Great work guys!
tandridgedc: And a big, big
thank you to @SurreyPolice @
TandridgeBeat who helped us
today #torchrelay, definitely could
not have done it without you
markamcallister: Biggest #FF
has to be the guys from @
SurreyPolice, Met Police for
pulling off a seamless security
– impressive to watch – well done
guys
@Hughesy67: Police waving, one
doing high-fives as he went by on
his bike, great Olympic spirit lads
@surreypolice #Olympics #Cycling
@SteBar1: @surreypolice shook
hands with one of your excellent
bike officers as he greeted the
crowds riding by, great job today
fellas #Olympic2012
A Force helicopter view as the
Olympic Torch parade passes
through Dorking.
@Ianguildford: Surrey is looking
great on TV, well played @
SurreyPolice @VisitSurrey with
your help we have a county to be
proud of.
OffBeat I September 2012
Men’s Road Race – 28 July 2012
NEWS
I have spoken to a lot
of Box Hill residents
and they all say the
police were fantastic. Quietly
efficient and effective and at
the same time very friendly
and helpful, looking after the
interests of the village. In our
opinion, they went beyond
the call of duty. All did an
outstanding job, but special
praise must go to PCSO
Ivor Williams and PC Jason
Broomfield, who were
stationed outside the
extremely crowded
village hall. Daphne Ladell, Box Hill
Neighbourhood Association
There has been
nothing but praise for
the police – including
the now cult figures known
as police motorcyclists!
An ex-Metropolitan Police
officer yesterday praised the
smartness of the police on the
ground at Oxshott for
the cycle races and
how well they related
with the crowd.
Bob Bartlett,
Surrey Police Pensioner
The police were quite
simply superb! They
ensured not just that
we felt completely safe, but
their willingness to embrace
the spirit of the event for us
watching in Mickleham set
the atmosphere for the whole
event. Their humour,
patience and kindness
was exemplary.
Fiona Taylor, Surrey
Parenting Education &
Support
I was so impressed
by the great attitude
of all the police who,
although they were entirely
professional, really entered
into the spirit of the event and
made it so enjoyable.
They looked as if they
were having fun too!
Spectator
OffBeat I September 2012
Men’s
Road Race – 28 July 2012
IN DEPTH
@BeerBiker: Well done on a good
job. Friendly coppers everywhere
we went, & we went to a lot of
places. Just like the old days
thank you ;)
@EminAkbay: The @SurreyPolice
officers’ on Box Hill were great
today; one even got a Mexican
wave going! Kept order with fun
and a smile! #RoadCycling
@K_Parrott: You guys were
fantastic all weekend :)
@beer_babe: Huge thanks 2 @
SurreyPolice 4 being the friendly
face of crowd control. Have never
high-5’d a copper before let alone
one on a motorbike!!!
@paulgunner: Police outriders
were quality at the weekend well
done.
@HantsChiefAlex: Dorking
and Box Hill looking great
with massive crowds. Policing
looks smart and effective too.
#keepitsafe
@AgnesCserhati: TY yet again
for looking after us so well during
#roadcycling – great atmosphere
and safe environment to enjoy the
race in.
@IanExton: Your people were
excellent today. In the spirit of
the occasion, chatting & laughing
with the crowd & letting folks
have fun.
@CHussenetUK: All the officers
we encountered were fantastic!
Especially the motorcyclists :-)
@roadpol_east: Well done to
Police escort teams and @
SurreyPolice today. Good humour
and engagement with crowds
added to the great atmosphere.
@JIles4PCC: Lots of good
comments from spectators for @
SurreyPolice on the way they’ve
policed the Olympic cycling.
OffBeat I September 2012
Men’s Road Race – 28 July 2012
It was a fun and surreal
experience never to be
forgotten and never to be
experienced again in my lifetime. Surrey Police made
the whole thing go like
clockwork.
Hoss Robinson,
Coroners’ Officer
I feel our presence
contributed greatly to
creating the electrifying
atmosphere. A proud
moment to be a Surrey
Police officer.
Sgt Colin Myers,
Planning and Duties
I spent a 17-hour duty
in the woods at Box Hill
to prevent unauthorised
access to the zig zags (pictured
bottom right) – not the most
glamorous duty, but
important for event
safety.
PC Richard Pell,
Neighbourhood Policing
The atmosphere was
brilliant and the officers
on the A24 stretch by
the Frascati restaurant were
professional and everyone got an
absolute buzz from the day. I had
a Mexican wave several
times and I was only
walking the stretch of
road.”
DS Rick Conway,
Neighbourhood Policing
@glovelace: Thank you for an
exceptional day, history was
made right here!
@Carrie_cot: Brilliant job by @
SurreyPolice on the London2012
road race. Looked as if you
enjoyed it as much as we
spectators did!
OffBeat I September 2012
Men’s Road Race – 28 July 2012
OffBeat I September 2012
Women’s Road Race – 29 July 2012
IN DEPTH
One of the serials
on the Women’s
Road Race called
into a local Costa to get
refreshments after the race,
having got soaked in the
torrential rain. Inside, all
the members of the public
applauded the police officers
and congratulated
them on the
fantastic job they
did.
Sgt Ian St John, Olympic
Planning, Neighbourhoods
I was in Gold
support during the
Women’s Race.
The atmosphere was
professional, calm
and controlled. A
fantastic weekend.
Sally Kipping, Strategic
Planning
The police were
amazing. Thank
you to the whole
organisation for the event. I
was negative about the event
beforehand, but the police at
the weekend made
it an excellent
experience.
Mrs Patricia
King, Box Hill resident
I absolutely loved
working the
weekend. The team
had a very difficult Sunday
evening with residents of Box
Hill Village who felt trapped
by road closures and noone else was around to tell
them what was happening.
The team offered what little
information we had with
the utmost compassion. It
wasn’t easy, but the team
took it on the chin to support
the public. Brilliant
work – I couldn’t
have asked for a
better team.
Sgt Adam Luck,
Youth Intervention
10
OffBeat I September 2012
Time Trial – 1 August 2012
Your cops were
fantastic at the Time
Trial – authoritative,
visible and friendly. They
were a reassuring presence.
I wanted to give you some
feedback on my ‘spectator
experience’ and
thank you, as a
Surrey resident, for
a wonderful day!
C/Supt David Musker,
Met Police
I’ve been involved
in a number of high
profile events over
the years, but this was head
and shoulders above all
the others. The number of
people commenting on how
well the Force handled the
events was astonishing. PC
Mark Maidens and I started
numerous Mexican waves
down Hampton Court Way,
putting a smile on many
faces, including
ours. Two days of
my service I’ll always
remember.
Geoff Nichols, Roads
Policing Unit
Olympic Route Network
Interventions included:
230
33
verbal warnings
– using ORN
lane
Fixed Penalty
Notices – using
ORN lane
85
9
Verbal warnings
– speed
Section 165
vehicle seizures
@Johndabill: Brilliant job.
Police high fiving and waving
to the crowd.
@gavinmegaw: Thank you all,
the whole family loved it. Well
done!
@IMeccentric: The excellent
way it was policed was a
real feature, the fact that the
officers seemed to enjoy
themselves was a bonus too.
@aburrows: @SurreyPolice
received excellent feedback
by residents and campers
as we did late turn patrol.
Everyone we spoke to was
praising Surrey :)
OffBeat I September 2012
11
Mutual aid – before and during the Games
IN DEPTH
Six of us who had the right
skills from their hobbies
were fortunate enough to
take part in the biggest marine police
deployment in history, helping to
police more than 50 square miles of
water in Dorset. The team included
DS Kevin Suckling and PC Lucy Field
(boat crew), PC Nicky Winter and Sgt
Paul Green (jet bike riders – cool!) and
PC Andy Crabb and I, who were not
only RIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats)
drivers, but also trained to become
Deputy Harbour Masters for the
duration of the Games.
Over the three weeks we
experienced everything from flat calm
to gales. The Police did better than
the Royal Navy, with only
three seasick officers to the
Navy’s five!
DC Mick Coulson
T/DI Chris Goodman and
I were part of the Police
Gold Desk, working for
the National Olympic Security
Coordinator Chris Allison, alongside
a group of 25 police representing all
the venue forces around the UK. The
other NOCC staff – from an RAF Wing
Commander, through to Government
Liaison Officers – all having their own
needs and interests to
satisfy made it interesting
and challenging!
T/DI Clive Vale
We joined dog handlers from
other forces to search the
Dorset sailing venue. PC
Craig Nicholson and I were housed
in the Haven Holiday Caravan Park
– not quite the rumoured four star
accommodation, but comfy. For five
days we were up at the crack of dawn
to exercise the dogs before searching
open areas, storage containers and
buildings at the main venues. We
met various coaches who chatted to
us about their Olympic experiences.
I was also lucky enough to spend
a week in London with PC Simon
Boylett doing searches
during the Paralympics.
Dog Handler,
PC Ben Hammett
Surrey has been fantastic.
A professional, friendly
team of officers.
It would be a pleasure to
assist again.
Mutual aid officer
12
OffBeat I September 2012
Specials give up their own time
Surrey’s Specials
fulfilled a variety
of roles, including
helping to provide a uniformed
presence for the Torch Relay
and prisoner transport during
the races, as well as working
with Emergency Planning on
logistics for the cycle races (for
which I was officer in charge
of sandwiches for motorbikes
and security teams stopping at
Givons Grove roundabout). A
number of Specials also acted
as cycle officers for the races,
while others provided a Level 3
PSU serial to help with
crowd dispersal after
the cycling events.
James W Deller, Chief
Officer, Surrey Special
Constabulary
As one of the Games
Makers (volunteers) I
worked with Wenlock
the mascot at the Olympic Park.
We were filmed by NBC, were
live on US breakfast TV and
appeared on the BBC. I met
people from all over the world,
who all said that Britain should
be proud of the Games. I was
lucky enough to see the 100m
final and Mo Farah win both his
golds. I experienced
the most awe inspiring
moments of my life.
The Runnymede Specials, from left (front row): SC
Lauren Donovan, SC Lee Walters, SC Oliver Meejan,
SC Mark Powell and SC Graham Roberts. Back row,
SC Rachel Pike, SC Martin Lock, SC Caroline Metcalf,
SC Rob Dickson, SC Stewart Kemp, SC Naomi Dabney
and S/SGT Ken Slade.
Special Sgt Dave McAdam
(pictured left with Olympic
mascot Wenlock)
Surrey’s 2012 Olympic Games in numbers
1,000 222 2,500
New Twitter followers
Tweets sent
160,000
1,170
2 Arrests over the race weekend
Watched the Surrey Torch Relay
Packed lunches supplied
on event days
25,000
Re-tweets
Spectators at
Stoke Park’S
TORCH event
2,760
Bottles of water
drunk on event
days
600
Officers and
staff at the
road races
400
Officers and
staff at the
Time Trial
OffBeat I September 2012
13
Behind the scenes
IN DEPTH
As Silver Commander I
know the hard work and
professionalism displayed by
everybody in planning and delivering
the Olympics. The outcome was a huge
success – not only were
they ‘safe and secure’ but
delivered in a style to be
proud of! Thank you.’
throne pic
Superintendent Jerry Westerman
Olympic Planning Team
Response Command
My job was to find officers and
staff with the right skills for
policing the Olympic Rowing
Village, Torch Relay, and cycling events.
Towards the later stages, the work got
very intense – not helped by the G4S
problems – and during the Games I
needed to find replacements
quickly to fill unforeseen staff
shortages!
Neil Hansford
As supervisor to the planners
of the Olympic Rowing Village
and the three cycling events,
I’ve been involved in the Olympics
for three years. I also oversaw some
of the resourcing and accreditation
requirements and wrote the main
operational orders. I wanted to make
deployment as straightforward and
hassle-free as possible for staff, while
ensuring we delivered the best
product. It was hard work,
but gave a great sense of
achievement.
Just some of the members of the Olympics
Planning Team take a well earned rest at
the end of the Time Trial event – trying out
the ‘thrones’ earlier occupied by medal
winners Bradley Wiggins, Tony Martin and
Chris Froome.
We were part of a team that
followed the dogs into the Olympic
Rowing Village to
complete the room searches. A
nice clean search but on a vast
scale.
I spent three very long intense
days searching the Olympic
Rowing Village in Egham with
the rest of the Surrey explosive search
dogs and handlers. It was a
great opportunity to work the
dogs on such a long search.
Sgt Gary Cross
I joined the Planning Team last
year to look at the traffic issues
that might arise. I consulted
with Surrey County Council over road
closures and with the Olympic Delivery
Authority over the Olympic Route
Network. I also worked every event
day with the Traffic Bronze
to ensure they had a good
overview of the traffic plan.
Martyn Williamson
Being the lead on our Olympics
planning for the past two years
was a fascinating and once in
a lifetime opportunity. Although Surrey
Police was a small piece of the jigsaw,
we staged probably the most
complex competition event
in the Games – on day one.
Inspector Graham Weaver
14
OffBeat I September 2012
PCs Phil Dagnall, TPT and Tracey
Henderson, Uniform Proactive Team
PC Craig Nicholson, Dog Handler
Business as usual
While the excitement of the Olympics was underway, we
still had to provide the normal ‘business as usual’ service to
relentlessly pursue criminals, keep people safe from harm
and to be there when we were needed.
Here’s a flavour of just a few of the ‘business as usual’ jobs
dealt with and results delivered across the Force.
• Three new homicides/potential homicides were taken on
by the Major Crime Team
• A siege in Bookham was brought to a successful
conclusion
• There were convictions of two men for serious sexual
offences, resulting in 12 and 13 year sentences
• Resources across the Commands worked together to find
a high risk missing woman
• Several drugs warrants were executed and two
crackhouses were closed in Guildford – with another three
pending
• ANPR activations led to arrests for robbery and car theft
• Following an aggravated burglary, the victim’s son has
written to commend the care given to his mother
• A speedy arrest and charge was made in connection with
an attempted rape in Woking
• The Shared Business Service Centre and ICT opened
for extended hours during Olympic events and over the
weekend of the cycle races. Supplies opened specially on a
Saturday to handle last minute uniform requests and Estates
and Fleet were on hand to ensure all ran smoothly
• The Tandridge Neighbourhood Team helped to launch a
new initiative to security mark pheasants. Meanwhile, the
Epsom & Ewell and Woking teams were involved in policing
the Epsom Live and Byfleet Live community events
• Many TPT B rota officers worked 10 consecutive nights
to maintain our high level of service. Several qualified PCs
took on T/PS duties to cover supervisor abstractions
• Four control rooms were staffed on event days
• An unmarked Roads Policing Unit responded to an
ANPR hit, following the vehicle into the Met. The driver was
arrested for attempted murder
• The response to the theft of £300k of jewellery in an
armed robbery in Guildford involved teams from across the
Force. One of the suspects is in custody
• Thanks to the tenacity and teamwork of Contact Centre
and Force Control Room staff in response to a distressing
call where the location was very difficult to pinpoint, the
domestic abuse incident was successfully dealt with.
Update
By Julie Marshall
Having played a crucial role in both front line and
back office support, police staff should be feeling very
proud of their contribution to this momentous national
event.
It has been rewarding and heartening to have
received public acknowledgement that these all round
efforts have been recognised and appreciated.
Well done Team SP!
Federation News
Kieran Diamond, SPF-JBB Chairman
Once again, you delivered on all fronts in contributing to the greatest show on
earth – the 2012 Olympics. Every police force provided a gold plated service in
making the event safe and secure for all those who participated and attended.
The Olympics, as well as featuring fantastic sporting achievements,
showcased the best of British policing. Public support for the police was
immense; the Government should take note of what was really achieved.
Your personal contributions and sacrifice made the Surrey events a great
success. Well done team Surrey…
OffBeat I September 2012
15
We hope you enjoyed this special memento of Surrey’s key role in the 2012 Olympics and
Paralympics – the biggest sporting events that are ever likely to happen in Surrey – while
still delivering our business as usual service.
Because we feel sure that many of you would like an extra copy of this OffBeat special
Olympics issue for family or friends, we’ve had a number of extra copies printed. To get
hold of a copy please contact Jill Jackson (details below).
Photo courtesy of mdb/photography
OffBeat is produced ten times a
year by Corporate Communications,
Surrey Police, PO Box 101,
16 OffBeat I September 2012
Guildford, Surrey GU1 9PE.
Editor Jill Jackson
Phone 01483 638670
Email [email protected] or !OffBeat
OCTOBER 2012 ISSUE
copy deadline 21 Sept
letters deadline 14 Sept
Copyright © Surrey Police 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the editor’s permission.