Commonwealth Games Australia: Queen will inaugurate the Games

Commonwealth Games Australia: Queen will inaugurate the Games

Public roads will be closed biggest VIP security escort in history
By: Oliver Koester
February 07, 2006
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70 POLICE motorcyclist will escort the Queen and British Prime Minister Tony Blair on their Commonwealth Game visit on closed freeways.

The Tullamrine Freeway and major parts of Citylink are likely to be shut down temporarily for all traffic after the Queen´s arrival at either Melbourne or Essendon Airport. Police will seal on-ramps to the freewy to avoid straying vehicles and will divert traffic along other routes to clear the monarch´s path.

This VIP security escort will be the biggest escort of its type run in Victoria. According to a source known to the Herald Sun, the Games commitment will dwarf the large security effort mounted when Melbourne hosted the World Economic Forum in September 2000. "The resources going into it will be huge," the source said.

Since both the Queen and Mr Blair are regarded as high-risk targets if terrorism, Victoria Police's counter-terrorism special operations group will also be involved in the Queen's escort. Moreover air cover will be provided. According to the Herald Sun, similar security resources will be allocated for the visit of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The number of police resources involved in security for the queen was not commented by a Victoria Police spokeswoman, but she confirmed parts of the road will be closed to allow the motorcade to pass through. "It will be a very high security bubble," the spokeswoman said. She said traffic would be held at certain points along the route to enable the security escort through before normal traffic flow was restored.

The Queen will officially open the Games at the MCG on March 15 by delivering a brief message to the crowd before watching the opening ceremony with other guests in the Melbourne Cricket Club committee room. The Queen will be in Melbourne for one night, staying at Government House after the opening ceremony.

The escorts of the Queen and Mr Blair are only two elements of a huge security undertaking for Victoria Police. Police will also be involved in escorting athletes and dignitaries and venue protection.


Resource: Herald Sun - January 23, 2006