British Special Constables will join French soldiers on streets of Paris to keep Olympics spectators safe

BRITISH Special Constables will join French soldiers — who were practising close-combat skills yesterday — on the streets of Paris to help keep Olympics spectators safe.

It is the first time the volunteer officers will have been deployed abroad.

Simon Jones

British Special Constables will join French soldiers on the streets of Paris to help keep Olympics spectators safe[/caption]

Getty

Police from across Britain will support French officers in Paris and Marseille, where the sailing events are being held[/caption]

AP

French troops were seen practising close-combat skills yesterday as the threat of terrorist action has been ramped up over recent months[/caption]

An estimated half a million tickets to the Games have been sold in the UK, making the country the second largest buyer of tickets behind France.

Police from across Britain will support French officers in Paris and Marseille, where the sailing events are being held.

British search dogs and their handlers will also be deployed to help with venue security.

Parts of the French capital are already locked down in anticipation of the Opening Ceremony on Friday.

Paris has previously suffered deadly extremist attacks, most notably in 2015 when 130 people died after suicide bombers and gunmen targeted venues.

ISIS terrorists carried out suicide bombings and several mass shootings across the city and its northern suburb, Saint-Denis on November 13, 2015.

The National Police Chiefs’ temporary Assistant Commissioner, Laurence Taylor, said: “I hope the presence of our Special Constables, who are some of the most dedicated and passionate officers in our ranks, will be reassuring and familiar for British visitors.

“I also hope their presence helps overseas visitors feel safe and welcome at the event.”