Countdown begins to the 2024 Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone

With less than a month to go before the UK’s highest attended sports event, the policing operation for the 2024 Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone is already underway.

Around 480,000 people are expected to descend on south Northamptonshire for the four-day event between July 4-7, with a record-breaking crowd in attendance to watch Sunday’s race.

Northamptonshire Police will once again be delivering a robust policing operation in the run-up to and during the event to ensure everyone has a crime-free, safe, and enjoyable time at the circuit.

The Force has also confirmed that for the second year running it will be using live facial recognition (LFR) technology.

The technology works by scanning faces with a camera to match biometrics against those held on a watchlist, a list generated by the police and focusing on those who pose the greatest risk of danger to the wider public.

They include suspects wanted for offences or have an outstanding warrant for an arrest issued by the courts, those who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others and vulnerable missing people.

Locations where LFR is in operation will be clearly marked by signage at the circuit, which will include a QR code to scan for anyone who would like more information about the technology and officers will also be handing out information leaflets.

Uniformed and plain-clothed police officers will be patrolling the circuit, campsites, and the surrounding road network, while specialist teams including armed officers, search teams, disruption officers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) units will also be deployed.

Working closing with the event organisers, other emergency services and partner agencies, this year’s policing operation will once again be led by Event Commander for Northamptonshire Police, Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Tompkins.

Detective Chief Supt Tompkins said: “It really is a year in the planning for both police and our partners - as soon as the chequered flag comes down on the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, we start preparing for next year’s event.

“Each year throws up its own challenges so we can never afford to become complacent, we take a “no stone unturned” approach.

“Extra resources will be in place over the four days, made up of uniformed and plain-clothed officers, PCSOs, police staff, police dogs, specials, specialist vehicles and volunteers as well as policing colleagues from neighbouring forces.

“We are working closely with the event organisers, other emergency services and partner agencies to ensure that anyone looking to commit a crime, either at the Silverstone venue or in the surrounding area, fails.”

Bumper crowds are expected once again this year with racegoers also able to enjoy live concerts by big names including Stormzy and Kings of Leon. Television screens will be dotted around the circuit allowing visitors to watch the quarterfinals of the Euros on the Friday and Saturday nights.

However, police have advised against anyone turning up without a ticket and urged F1 fans to be aware of people selling counterfeit tickets, particularly on social media.

Detective Chief Supt Tompkins added: “Finally, within the region of 480,000 extra pairs of eyes at the venue over the four days, we would like help from the public to ensure that everyone attending the event leaves the venue having had a crime-free, safe, and enjoyable experience.

“We’d like everyone to be extra vigilant and to contact us if they see anyone or anything which looks out of place or suspicious. We would rather receive a well-meaning report that turns out to be nothing as opposed to not being told at all.”

Over the next few weeks, stay up to date on the Force’s preparations for the Formula 1 British Grand Prix by following @NorthantsPolice on X (formerly known as Twitter) or by ‘liking’ Northamptonshire Police on Facebook.