Police plan 'reassuring presence' during Shakespeare weekend

THERE will be a “re-assuring” police presence in Stratford-upon-Avon this weekend for this extra special Shakespeare celebrations.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death and thousands of extra visitors are expected in town tomorrow, Saturday.

There will also be a Royal visit from Prince Charles who will tour Shakespeare’s last home New Place, his tomb at Holy Trinity Church.

He will also be in the audience, with his wife Camilla, for the star-studded Shakespeare Live! From the RSC in the evening.

Inspector Julia Brealey, Warwickshire Police's commander for Stratford district, told the Herald the emphasis will be on “community re-assurance”.

“The police will be on the streets of Stratford as they would any year for the parade and celebrations," she said.

"We’ve made sure resourcing is appropriate, and working closely with the event organisers and other emergency services, we have a contingency plan in place to help safeguard public safety.

"Royalty bring their own close protection unit with them and certain celebrities may do the same. We hope everyone enjoys themselves but ask people to remain vigilant as they would at any other big event,” Inspector Brealey said.

The Herald's reporters and photographers will be out and about all weekend. Keep up to date with goings-on on our wesbite or out Facebook and Twitter pages.

See next week’s Stratford-upon-Avon Herald for a special pull-out featuring photos and reports from the the weekend's activities, including a more indepth look at how the police prepared and managed this year’s celebrations.