G7 police ferry MS Silja Europa arrives in Falmouth, Cornwall

Devon and Cornwall Police has chartered the mega ferry MS Silja Europa, one of the world’s largest cruise/ferries to accommodate around 1,000 officers being drafted into Cornwall to protect leaders of the G7 meeting in Carbis Bay this week. 

The 60,000 tonne ship arrived at 3am today and will be moored at Falmouth Docks for the next ten days.

The ferry will be home to around 20% of the police officers overseeing the summit

At the same time, the police presence in Falmouth has risen dramatically with less than a week to go until the summit beginning this Friday.

One woman walking through town told the Packet: "I've never seen so many police. They were all friendly.

"There were at least 200 there today and I counted eight vans. Some had 'liaison officer' on their jacket

"Most were from London. I was talking to them and they were staying in Taunton, and coming in ever day to walk around the area."

An estimated 200 police officers and eight vans were in Falmouth on Saturday

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson for G7 planning said previously: "We will be deploying over 6,000 officers and staff to this event and we are supporting a vast range of local businesses and suppliers as part of our extensive logistical arrangements.

"This includes using over 4,000 rooms at almost 200 venues across Devon and Cornwall which will support local communities and accommodate police officers and staff deployed from across the UK."

The force has recently put out more information about the MS Silja Europa ferry, which will provide approximately 20% of the total accommodation needed for officers and staff working on G7.

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A spokesperson said: "This is not a luxurious cruise ship. It is a passenger ferry which provides comfortable and practical accommodation.

"The onboard bars, hairdresser, spa, etc will be closed. There will be a shop open for the purchase of essentials alongside the restaurant and accommodation facilities.

"We have sought to support local businesses in the first instance around our accommodation requirement and have sourced 4,000 rooms at around 190 accommodation venues before sourcing the ferry to provide additional accommodation capacity.

"Our officers and staff are often working 12 hour shifts every day. It is important that we provide good quality accommodation to ensure they can serve the public effectively."

The ferry will be moored at Falmouth Docks for ten days

They went on to say that the force has been careful to try and keep the impact on the environment as low as possible.

"Fresh meat and produce served onboard has been sourced locally where possible to support local businesses.

"At the briefing centre, all officers and staff will be issued with a refillable water bottle instead of using single use plastic bottles of water. This is expected to save tens of thousands of plastic bottles.

"The catering and welfare centre is one of three that will feed the remaining 80% of the workforce who aren't accommodated on the ferry, preparing thousands of meals 24 hours a day."

Those staying onboard the ferry, and well as at other accommodation sites, will be asked to strictly follow all the applicable Covid safety guidelines, enhanced by daily testing.

Building work on Events Square and Campbeltown Way has also progressed, with a large temporary building now on the car park from which operations will be overseen.

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A large temporary building has been put up on Events Square as part of the operations