JULY 9 - POLICE in Dorset have applied for more than £9 million of Government funding to help them prepare for when Weymouth and Portland host the sailing events during the 2012 Olympics.

 

The grant applications include £8,386,700 to boost CCTV, an Auto-matic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system and a computer network to link the cameras, all areas identified by the Dorset Police Authority as "critical" to ensure 2012 passes off safely.

 

Chief Superintendent David Griffiths, of the Dorset Police Olympic planning team, said up to 60 jobs could be created in the run-up to the 2012 Games as the force builds up its security operation.

 

He said: "We have to remember that the Olympic Games is a fantastic opportunity for the area that has to have a security operation to protect it.

 

"My job is to plan for the worst and hope for the best."

 

Other plans in the pipeline for the Olympics include securing funding for an additional assistant chief constable to help handle security.

 

Dorset Police has so far secured £700,000 Olympic funding for this year.

 

Ministers are expected to consider the full programme for all Olympic security this December.

 

Current funding includes a £20,000 provision for Dorset Police to conduct a seven-day planning visit to the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in Qingdao, China next month.