Keeping you safe at Portsmouth D-Day event

Hampshire Constabulary is proud to be honouring veterans on the 75^th anniversary of D-Day.

With just days to go before the eyes of the world turn to Portsmouth for the National Commemorative Event, our teams are working hard to ensure a safe and successful event for all.

Those living and working in the area will have already seen the work underway on Southsea Common and the broad range of visible security measures in place with land, sea and air all covered.

From Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), to Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) barriers, our officers are utilising all their specialist skills and tactics to keep those in Portsmouth safe.

Residents, local businesses and visitors to the city can expect to see an increased police presence, including armed police, search dogs, the mounted section, the roads policing unit and the marine unit all carrying out patrols.

And while you will be able to see many of these security measures, there will be plenty you can’t see.

Hampshire Constabulary Assistant Chief Constable David Hardcastle said: “We are incredibly proud to be playing a part in honouring our veterans who made great sacrifices for us all 75 years ago.

“Hampshire played such a part in D-Day and Portsmouth is a city steeped in military history, so where better than to mark this very special anniversary?

“We have been working hard with our partners, the event organisers, local businesses and the community to help ensure we deliver a safe and successful event for everyone.

“We are deploying many different security tactics in and around the city, so I hope people are reassured and not alarmed by this activity – it is all part of our policing operation to keep you safe.

“This policing operation will be among the largest in Hampshire Constabulary’s history with the commemorations expected to attract in excess of 60,000 people from around the world to Portsmouth.

“But while this is taking place in Portsmouth, I can reassure our communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that our response to incidents and day-to-day policing will not be affected.”

To support our security measures, residents, local business and visitors are encouraged to continue to be vigilant.

ACC Hardcastle added: “You are our extra eyes and ears. If you see something that doesn’t look right, let us know and we will look into your concerns.

“Nobody knows your neighbourhood like you do, you are a valuable asset in helping us to detect and deter crime.

“We must remember that at the heart of these commemorations are the veterans who fought for our freedom. We must work together and do what we can to ensure their special day is respected.

“We feel privileged to serve them on this very poignant day, just as they served for us during World War 2.”

On the day, visitors may be stopped and checked by roads policing officers. If travelling by train, British Transport Police will be patrolling stations and carriages.

For more information about how the public can attend event in Portsmouth, road closures and parking visit https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/your-council/your-city/d-day-75/d-day-75.

For information about the D-Day theme events in Portsmouth between 5 and 9 June, visit https://www.visitportsmouth.co.uk/d-day-75.

Visit https://theddaystory.com/ for more on the D-Day story.