Federation supports officers at the Commonwealth Games

1 August 2022

The Hertfordshire Police Federation welfare van has travelled north to support officers from across the country deployed to Birmingham as part of the mutual aid operation for the Commonwealth Games.

Branch secretary Al Wollaston and full-time rep Dean Cornish are in Birmingham with the van offering refreshments to officers from the van which also has a seating area and toilet facilities.

“With around 3,000 officers expected to be part of the policing operation, we are on hand to offer support,” says Al, “We are providing not just drinks and snacks but also support in terms of advice on regs and so on.

“We have already seen hundreds of officers with the van really coming into its own in terms of helping officers take a much-needed break during this deployment.”

Dean Cornish (fourth from left) and Al (second from right) with the welfare van in Birmingham.

Branch chair Luke Mitchell and full-time rep and equality lead Terasa Holden will take over with the Hertfordshire welfare van from Friday until Tuesday (7 August) when the Games, which opened on Thursday, close.

Other Federation branches, including Dyfed Powys, North Wales and West Midlands, are also in Birmingham with their own welfare vans offering support to members.

When not in use for mutual aid operations, the Hertfordshire Police Federation welfare van is used at local events and incidents.