"We've had to rip up all our plans and start again," admits the officer in charge of policing Silverstone GP

How Northamptonshire cops will deal with having no fans instead of 140,000 for big-race weekends
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The officer in charge the massive police operation at next month's Silverstone GPs admits he had to rip up plans to make sure this year's event goes off smoothly.

Superintendent Dennis Murray, the Event Commander will lead Northamptonshire Police's presence at the circuit for a sixth year — and says 2020 will be like none of those that have gone before.

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Instead of the problems posed by an event which draws in 140,000 fans on racedays, nobody will be allowed in or even near the circuit in the build-up to the two Formula One races on successive weekends August 2 and 9.

Lewis Hamilton will head to Silverstone next week after making it back-to-back wins in Hungary on Sunday. Photo: Getty ImagesLewis Hamilton will head to Silverstone next week after making it back-to-back wins in Hungary on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton will head to Silverstone next week after making it back-to-back wins in Hungary on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images

Supt Murray said: "This is my sixth year Event Commander at Silverstone and, effectively, we've had to rip up all our previous plans and start again.

"We've had to look at how we deliver our policing operation while complying with Covid-19 regulations and guidelines to make sure our officers and all the key workers at the track are kept safe."

Yet the lack of petrolheads inside Silverstone will not reduce the size or importance of the police operation in around the circuit.

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An exclusion zone will be in force around the circuit with roads and lay-bys closed and fencing screened to stop people trying to catch a glimpse of Lewis Hamilton and his rivals.

Northants Police are usually busy inside Silverstone on British GP weekend  but this year will be differentNorthants Police are usually busy inside Silverstone on British GP weekend  but this year will be different
Northants Police are usually busy inside Silverstone on British GP weekend but this year will be different

The area around Silverstone will be marshaled by officers with only locals carrying passes allowed through.

Even drones are banned from flying overhead.

Supt Murray added: “I want to reinforce our previous messages: There will be an exclusion zone around the circuit and F1 fans must not travel to it but should instead join the millions watching the races on TV.

"People won't be able to see through fences and wont be allowed to stand on nearby roads places like they may have done previously. If you try to park and walk to the track and leave your car unattended, it will be towed away.

Supt Dennis Murray is in charge of policing the Silverstone big-race weekendsSupt Dennis Murray is in charge of policing the Silverstone big-race weekends
Supt Dennis Murray is in charge of policing the Silverstone big-race weekends
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“And the Civil Aviation Authority has imposed a flight restriction on drones throughout both the race weekends.”

World champion Hamilton and the Brackley-based Mercedes team will head to their home GP on a high after back-to-back wins in two races in Austria and Hungary over the last two weekends.

Teams will start arriving at the track on Wednesday and Thursday next week ahead of the British Grand Prix on Sunday (August 2). They will be kept in a bio-secure 'bubble' until the second race, the Emirates Formula One 70th anniversary Grand Prix a week later.

Silverstone's managing driector Stuart Pringle said: "The 2020 season has given us some great entertainment to date and I suggest the best and safest way to enjoy the action over these two weekends is from the comfort of your own homes.”