Tight security at athletics event

Tight security at athletics event

Police sniffer dogs carried out searches in the NIA

One of the biggest security operations ever mounted for an athletics event in Britain gets under way with the start of the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Friday.

More than 600 athletes from 140 countries are attending the prestigious event, held at the city's National Indoor Arena (NIA), which is a sell-out.

West Midlands Police have spent several months working on the security for the event and say there will be an armed police presence.

Sniffer dogs have been used to carry out final checks for traces of explosives, firearms or related materials in the NIA.

'Minimise risk'

All relevant buildings and areas around the event have also been subject to stringent searches and there will be a highly visible police presence in the city.

However, police stress there is no specific terrorist threat, they just want the huge crowds who will be descending on the city to enjoy themselves.

Superintendent Neil Gould said: "There is a balance to be struck here. There is a real balance.

"Clearly there is a security issue and we have to be sure in our own minds that we minimise the risk to people visiting the city."

The three day event is due to finish with the traditional four by four hundred metres relay on Sunday.