Olympics commitment for Notts Police officers

Summer is all but cancelled for Nottinghamshire Police, says a senior officer, with leave restricted due to the London Olympics.

From the Olympic Torch relay passing through the county in June to the conclusion of the Paralympics in September, officers have had all but essential leave cancelled.

Nottinghamshire, along with all other forces in England and Wales, must provide a strong contingent to police the games.

In the case of Nottinghamshire, says Superintendent Mark Holland, the commitment is 200 officers per day.

If the threat of a terrorist attack increases more will have to be committed.

There are 2,214 officers in the county.

Superintendent Holland, who has one week's leave over the summer, said day-to-day policing would be unaffected by the loss of so many officers.

"There is a big requirement on all forces to provide significant numbers of officers to police the Olympics," he said.

"Not all leave has been cancelled, but we are operating a restricted leave policy over the summer.

"Our system is based on the financial year, so officers are being permitted to take next year's leave now, and I suspect that we will have to carry more leave over into 2013 than we want to.

"We will be stretched but it won't affect policing in Nottinghamshire."

He said the force would continue to provide officers, who would ordinarily be on days off, to police public events.

Event organisers pay a fee that covers overtime and any equipment required.