The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be protected by a ring of steel involving 5,500 police officers across 11 days.
The terror alert level across the UK as a whole is currently 'substantial', meaning a terrorist attack is likely, although Merseyside Police experts say there is no specific intelligent of a threat to the spectacular series of events in the city next month.
As part of our Eurovision hosting duties, a mammoth protective operation is underway, involving specially trained officers from Merseyside and beyond as well as the intelligence services, Counter Terrorism Policing and armies of CCTV operators.
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But Merseyside Police has launched a vigilance campaign urging members of the public to become "our eyes and ears" by reporting any suspicious activity during the contest, in a bid to "look out for each other". The ECHO spoke to Chief Inspector Iain Wykie, head of protective security operations at Merseyside Police, at Keel Wharf yesterday.
Ch Insp Wykie said: "It's the largest protective security operation that Merseyside Police has mounted. You will see somewhere in the region of 5,500 police officers deployed across the 11 days. And you will also see a range of specialist assets, whether that's firearms officers, dogs, mounted, CCTV operators.
"We will also be deploying officers from Project Servator, they're specially trained officers whose aim is to disrupt anyone engaged in criminal activity including terrorism. We will also be relying on colleagues from other forces who will be bringing their specialist skills and abilities with them, to support our operation as well as reaching back to our colleagues in Counter Terrorism Policing, and various other government agencies will support the operation."
The ECHO asked what reassurance the force could give to anyone nervous about a potential attack, particularly given the failed bombing of Liverpool Women's Hospital in November, 2021, by 32-year-old "lone-wolf" Emad Al Swealmeen.
Ch Insp Wykie said: "I think the first thing I would say in relation to Eurovision and the host of events that are taking place is there's no specific intelligence to suggest any threat. That's not to say we aren't planning for every eventuality, and we have significant plans in place and significant resources available to us to respond in the event.
"But what I would reassure the public is by working with the police to identify suspicious activity, to identify individuals that are behaving in a manner that looks out of keeping with the environment, reporting to the police at the earliest opportunity, we can intervene, we can take action.
"It might be that it's something and nothing, in which case there's no harm. But it might be it's just that useful piece of information that places that final jigsaw piece so we can get the full picture and we can act on it. But, if the public see something that doesn't look right, please report it, there's not harm done by reporting suspicious activity, the police will always act."
The senior officer confirmed that the war in Ukraine has formed part of the force's planning for the security of Eurovision, which was originally set to be hosted in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa before Russia launched its brutal invasion.
Ch Insp Wykie said: "The fact is it's not lost on us that we are hosting this on behalf of a country that is currently at war, what we want to do is work with the Ukrainian authorities and the Ukrainian broadcasting company. This is their event, and we're delivering it on their behalf.
"So we're really engaged with them and working with them to deliver this in as safe a manner as possible. That does bear some relevance and some significance to our policing operation, as I say it's one of the contingencies that we're looking at, but it's one of many in range, and we have appropriate plans in place."
When asked what the public can do to help keep the city and its thousands of visitors safe, he added: "First thing is, the message I would give is come to the city enjoy what's going to be a spectacular event, 11 days of activities across the whole city. Not just here at the arena, there is the festival village up at the Pier Head.
"Come, enjoy the activities, enjoy what the city has to offer, enjoy what the UK is showcasing on behalf of Ukraine, but if you see something that doesn't look right, whether it's an abandoned bag, whether it's an individual who perhaps is behaving in a manner which looks out of the ordinary for the area you're in, report it to a police officer, report it to a member of security staff, or report it to a local business.
"Remember, if you see something that doesn’t feel right, tell a member of staff or a police officer. Don’t assume someone else will do it. However insignificant you think something may be, trust your instincts and report it."
Chief Superintendent Jonathan Davies, who is overseeing the operation, added: “Merseyside Police is well-practised at planning for large events such as the Giants, the Labour Party Conference and numerous city-wide parades. We know that when the public act as our extra eyes and ears, it helps us keep the crowds drawn by these events safe.
"We are asking you all to look out for each other – if you see something that doesn’t feel right, tell staff or the police."
To report suspicious activity, call the police on 101. Suspicious activity is anything that seems out of place, unusual or does not seem to fit in with day-to-day life. If it is an emergency, always call 999.
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