PCC Vera Baird wishes Sunderland a successful airshow
21st July 2016
Northumbria Police is ready for take off for the annual Sunderland International Airshow this weekend.
The annual event is held on the city’s seafront at Roker and Seaburn and is the biggest free annual airshow in Europe, attracting around one million spectators over the course of three days each year.
And, once again, Northumbria Police will be offering its support to the event to help spectators enjoy a fun family day out.
For the second year running the policing operation will be led by Superintendent Sarah Pitt who, along with her team, has been working closely with the organisers to ensure the event runs smoothly and is turbulent free.
Plans are in place and officers will be on patrol in and around the city throughout the airshow weekend to help visitors to the event as well as support local residents.
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, said: “The Sunderland Airshow is always a popular occasion amongst local people and those we welcome from further afield. 2016 promises to be one of the biggest and best yet and requires a lot of hard work and planning, making sure everything runs smoothly and safely for the many visitors. I hope everyone has a great time and I wish to thank all those involved – organisers, our police officers and partners – without them the event wouldn’t be the year on year success it’s famous for.”
Superintendent Sarah Pitt said: “This weekend promises to be a fantastic weekend and we’re really looking forward to it. We will have officers on patrol in and around the city throughout the airshow weekend and I would encourage people to stop and speak to them, they are there to support visitors to the event and our local communities and will help in anyway they can.
“We will be giving regular traffic updates through our twitter account throughout the weekend so it may be worth those who do plan on driving making sure they are following us to find out what the best route they can take is.
“For those going along who want to get involved then please send us your pictures from the event and we’ll try and share as many as we can on social media, and if you can one with a police officer even better!”
Follow @northumbriapol on Twitter and Northumbria Police’s Facebook page for regular updates from Northumbria Police in the run up and during the Sunderland International Airshow.
#SunAirshow
Police are offering a few tips to help everyone enjoy the event:
– Make a note of the prearranged meeting points incase you become lost or lose someone, make sure you have the phone numbers of people you are with so you can contact them if you need to.
– Drink responsibly and look after yourself, make sure you have plans to get home if you are planning a night out after visiting the airshow.
– Keep your personal belongings – mobile phones, wallets etc – somewhere safe. Don’t leave bags open and make sure nothing valuable is left in a bag or pocket that someone can access without you knowing.
– If you are driving, make sure you have locked your vehicle before leaving it unattended and don’t leave anything valuable inside.
Below is a reminder of some traffic advice:-
If you are driving be patient, the roads will be busy. Leave plenty of time for your journey.
– Plan your route beforehand and follow the signs to designated parking areas and leave plenty of time for arriving and leaving.
– Please note there are currently road works on the A1231 so the approach to the Stadium of Light Park and Ride will be busy
– Signs will be in place to direct motorists to designated parking areas – please follow these signs. It is advisable to turn your SAT-NAV off as you approach Sunderland as it will direct you to the most popular route thereby causing delays.
– A Traffic Management Company is in charge of managing event traffic.
– Motor Patrols officers will be on duty to assist in keeping traffic flowing, where possible, throughout the main routes in the area.
Connect with us on:
