Falmouth G7: Chief Constable speaks on summit policing operation and lasting impact on the town

By Joseph Macey

16th Sep 2021 | Local News

In an exclusive interview with Nub News, Chief Constable for Devon and Cornwall Police Shaun Sawyer praised the "tremendous" efforts of the Falmouth community in helping to deliver a smooth G7.

Today (19th), was the day most businesses at Events Square reopened after the International Media Centre was cleared up and packed away.

Among them, The Ranch, Hub Box and Koffiji, all reopened back to regular service.

Speaking to Nub News, Shaun Sawyer revealed there were no major scenes of violence/disruption, which had been a primary concern for many leading up to the summit.

Constable Sawyer said:

"It was a chance to showcase Falmouth, keeping businesses thriving and managing a big event, all credit has to go to Richard and the events team there for facilitating a global event.

"The media centre was huge, thanks to the Harbour Master, pictures from the paddle out by the demonstrators went around the world and rightly so, their voice was heard. For the few that wanted violence, well, it had no place and the policing operation dealt with that."

"British police came together from all different corners of the UK to deliver one policing message to keep people safe. Overall, we see it as a success."

The question that everyone had been asking throughout the summit was, what is going to be the legacy left on Falmouth?

Residents and councillors all had their say on the legacy, with Cornwall Council saying the lasting impact would be "significant" - so from a policing viewpoint, what about Shaun Sawyer?

He continued:

"As someone who spends a lot of their life in Falmouth, I think it showed that Falmouth is a modern place for young and old. It is fresh in its thinking, it is open-minded, it is open for investment and it has that sense of vitality and welcoming.

"Cornwall is an iconic place but there is something about Falmouth, it has that rural feel with an urban vibe. The legacy for Falmouth and wider for Cornwall is people will be attracted by a clean environment, and bring up your family is a safe place, we just have to look after it.

"I think you (people of Falmouth) were tremendous, the media centre, the council team has worked on a world stage to deliver a global event.

"Falmouth has welcomed people to the harbour and to the beaches, those who wanted to have their voice heard did so in a peaceful way and as importantly, those who wanted to come and wreck the place people made it known they weren't welcome, and I really want to thank them for that."

The presence of that many police from across the UK was certainly different as Falmouth has not seen its own dedicated beat officer since the passing of Andy Hocking.

So will Falmouth be getting its own officer anytime soon? Constable Sawyer added:

"A lot of people will remember Andy Hocking, there is a dedicated towns team, I assure you that the towns dedicated team are really proud of Falmouth, they do their best.

"As our numbers go back up Falmouth will see additional resources but we do police a large area so not seeing a police officer doesn't mean we aren't there, but I do accept seeing one does give reassurance so we will do our best."

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