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Grand Prix weekend set to bring 480,000 people to the area
04/07/2024
Ahead of the main race on Sunday the Kings Of Leon are performing tonight
The four-day British Grand Prix event begins at Silverstone today with the gates opening at 11am.
At least 480,000 people are expected to attend what is the UK’s largest sporting event, with 160,000 set to watch Sunday’s main race at the circuit.
Motorsport fans will be watching closely to see if Max Verstappen and Lando Norris renew their rivalry following a controversial collision between the pair at the Austrian Grand Prix last weekend. That race was won by George Russell from the Brackley based Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team.
In addition to the motorsport, this year’s event will feature a performance by the Kings of Leon tonight, Stormzy tomorrow and Rudimental on Sunday. DJ Pete Tong will bring Ibiza Classics to the circuit on Saturday.
Saturday’s England-Switzerland Euro clash will be shown on giant screens within the circuit and on surrounding campsites.
Northamptonshire Police have undertaken months of preparation and planning to ensure everyone has a crime-free, safe, and enjoyable experience during their visit to the Grand Prix.
Uniformed officers, plain-clothed detectives and Special Constables will be patrolling the circuit, the campsites, and the surrounding road network, along with specialist resources including overt armed officers, search teams, disruption officers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition units.
Live Facial Recognition will also be in operation at the circuit on the Saturday and Sunday.
The policing operation will be led by Event Commander for Northamptonshire Police, Detective Chief Superintendent Rich Tompkins.
He said: “People have already begun arriving and setting up for this year’s British Grand Prix and we are ready to ensure everyone has an enjoyable, safe, and crime-free experience both at Silverstone and while visiting our county.
“This is a major police operation involving uniformed officers, police staff, specials, and volunteers, we will also have detectives, armed officers, and specialist search dogs and their handlers, patrolling the circuit, the campsites and local area throughout the event.
“With at least 480,000 people expected to attend this year’s event, the security measures that are in place are as stringent as ever. Our priority is to keep the public safe and arrest those who attend the event with the intention of committing crime.”
He warned visitors thinking of bringing flares, smoke bombs or pyrotechnics to Silverstone that these items would be confiscated and anyone doing so would be refused entry.
For those heading to the circuit, on Saturday and Sunday a one-way system will be introduced on the main A43 between the Abthorpe Roundabout at Towcester and the junction with the B4525 interchange near Syresham. All roads in the area are expected to be busy and motorists are advised to expect delays.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam