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NEWS RELEASE FROM SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE


Date: 7/6/2005


G8 Policing Plans Inc reference:








Sheffield is hosting the UK Presidency G8 Justice & Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting from 15-17th June, involving ministers from the eight G8 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States of America).



South Yorkshire Police has the responsibility of ensuring not only that this event takes place in safety and security but also that people have the opportunity to protest within the law and that minimum disruption is caused to everyday life.



This balance is a delicate one, involving a huge amount of detailed organisation, intelligence gathering and assessment, discussion with both partners and with representatives of protest groups, meetings with local communities and others who might be affected by the event.



If we are to discharge this responsibility effectively a combination of elements must be in place: the event must take place in an orderly environment and this will necessarily involve temporary changes to routine; those wishing to protest must co-operate with the police; and powers must be available to enable police to deal with specific circumstances that experience tells us are possible.



The main meeting is taking place at the Marriott Hotel, with functions in the city centre on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th. As part of the arrangements for the event some limited road closures will occur at specific times, which should cause minimal disruption. Sheffield City Council and South Yorkshire Police have agreed the following road closures, which will mean that there will be no access for vehicles. These are:



Kenwood Road, adjacent to the Marriott Hotel (between the junctions of Rundle Road and Cherry Tree Road), will be closed from 10.00 am Monday 13th June until 6.00 pm Friday 17th June. Local businesses and residents have been contacted individually by South Yorkshire Police and appropriate security arrangements and screenings put in place.



The Winter Garden and Millennium Galleries will host a formal welcome reception on the evening of Wednesday 15th June. South Yorkshire Police will close several roads around the venue; Surrey Street from its junction with Norfolk Street down to Arundel Gate will close from 12 noon (there will also be limited pedestrian access), Norfolk Street will close to vehicles from 4.00pm and Arundel Gate from 5.45pm. Central Library will close at 4.00pm, access to the library from 12 noon will be via the children's library entrance at the Arundel Gate end of Surrey Street. The Graves Art Gallery will close earlier than normal. The Winter Garden and Millennium Galleries will be closed all day on the 15th June.



The Cutlers' Hall will host a Gala Dinner in the evening. Again several roads around the venue will close from 4.00pm onwards including Church Street, High Street, Fargate, York Street and several side roads. Supertram will be affected, terminating at Castle Square and Hanover Way for both inward and outbound journeys from 4.00pm.



Other than these limited local restrictions on these specific dates the remainder of the City Centre will operate as normal.



Our approach to dealing with protest is to achieve a balance between facilitating lawful activities (including the right to protest), protecting life and property and minimising disruption.



In terms of powers available to the police to enable this approach to work, the following will apply:



Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 enables police to ban marches and processions in specifies areas.



Section 14 of the same Act enables police to place conditions on public assemblies and restrictions on the locations in which they can be held.



Section 14A of the same Act enables the police to deal with protestors trespassing onto property.



We have applied to the Home Office through the city council for powers under Section 13 and 14A to be available to police from 0001 hours on Wednesday June 15th 2005 until 1800 hours on Friday June 17th 2005 and Section 14A from 1800 hours on Monday June 13th to 1800 hours on Friday June 17th 2005.



The Chief Constable will use powers under Section 14 to allow lawful protestors who co-operate with police to have the opportunity to voice their opinions. With this in mind, we are considering two protests in close proximity to the evening venues. We will limit protestor numbers to ensure a balance between the rights of the protestors and those attending the event.



Those acting unlawfully or violently will be firmly dealt with using existing police powers. The Chief Constable has the necessary resources to deal with all issues identified.





G8 MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE, SHEFFIELD

ROAD CLOSURES CITY CENTRE



WINTER GARDEN/MILLENNIUM GALLERIES

Wednesday 15th June 2005.





6am Cones placed on Surrey Street and Norfolk Street.

· No parking and supervised deliveries



8am Enforcement of parking restrictions



12 midday Restrictions imposed upon access to Tudor Square



4pm Norfolk Street closed to vehicles



5.45pm Arundel Gate closed to vehicles and pedestrian access restricted to:

· Arundel Gate Car Park (access via Pond Street only)

· Odeon Cinema

· Sheffield Hallam University (access from Pond Street only)

· Novotel limited access for guests only





CUTLERS' HALL

Thursday 16th June 2005



6am Cones placed on St James Street, St James Row and Vicar Lane. No parking.



4pm Restricted access to Cathedral Square from St James Row, East Parade, Church Street and High Street



4pm Road Closures

· Church Street junction with Leopold Street

· High Street junction with Arundel Gate

· Vicar Lane junction with Campo Lane

· St James Row

· East Parade

· York Street



4pm Supertram will terminate at Castle Square and Upper Hanover Street tram stops for both inward and outward journeys.

Buses will be re-routed from High Street and Church Street



5.45pm Pedestrian access restricted

· Fargate junction with Exchange Gateway

· High Street junction with George Street

· Leopold Street junction with Orchard Street

· Norfolk Street junction with Chapel Walk