NEW high-tech traffic cameras keeping watch on Dorset’s roads ahead of the 2012 home Games caught three thieves in the first weekend of operation.

Six additional automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera sites, both fixed and mobile, will be aiding security for next year’s Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.

Several of the cameras are now in operation and Chief Superintendent Dave Griffith, who heads up the county’s Olympic and Paralympic security team, is proud that they are benefiting the public already.

He said: “We’re having an additional six ANPR sites for the Olympics and some cameras are in now and working.

“In the first weekend we caught three people for metal theft and we saved a man who had come down to Portland to commit suicide.

“I’m proud that we’ve got some Olympic things working now, working and helping people in Dorset.

“Between now and the Games we can start to get a better understanding of criminal use of roads in this area and do something about it.”

The force, which has so far secured £19.4million of the Home Office’s £600million budget, is also celebrating improvements that have been made to the emergency service radio.

Chief Supt Griffith said: “There used to be places where radio coverage wasn’t that brilliant but because of the Games we’ve mapped out and improved them.

“If we can do things early that’s better than rushing it last minute.

“Some stuff will definitely have to be last-minute so the more we can do in advance, the better for everyone.”

During the Games, ‘emergency service assets’ from across the county will be ‘redeployed to Weymouth’ to cover a range of eventualities during next year’s events, which are expected to bring in up to 30,000 extra visitors a day between July 27 and September 9, 2012.

Chief Supt Griffith said: “Every venue has plans for everything from one person having a heart attack to a terrorist explosion during the Games.

“Not because we think these bad things might happen but because people expect me to have a plan.

“Part of that plan is to reduce the wait for emergency equipment.

“Most people won’t notice the changes until about two weeks before the Games, they might see more police boats about and the occasional visit from a Navy ship.”

The Harbour Revision Order is now published; over the next couple of months the Olympic security team will work with the harbour authority to finalise what it means for individual users.

Chief Supt Griffith added: “We’re trying to allow as much normal activity as possible, although it obviously won’t be the same as it is now.

“We would like to hear from anyone with concerns about how the Games might affect their business or community event – the sooner we hear from people the easier it is to make plans.”

To contact the Olympic planning team email Olympics@dorset.pnn.police.uk or write to the ‘Olympic planning team’ and drop the letter into your local police station.