MORE than 200 officers from West Mercia Police will be helping to ensure the Olympic Games run smoothly this summer.

The force is working with other constabularies to help staff the London 2012 Games for 62 days between Monday, June 4, and Sunday, September 16.

But assurances have been made that policing will continue across the force area during this time, and measures such as restricting annual leave, postponing non-essential training and using special constables and volunteers will help boost staff levels.

The Olympic Games operation will be overseen by assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Chris Allison, the national Olympic security coordinator, and include help from all 51 UK forces.

Of West Mercia’s 2,200 officers, 239 will be involved in keeping the Games safe and secure, with deployment ranging from a maximum of 121 officers on some days to as low as just two officers on others.

While the majority will be general beat officers, West Mercia will also be lending its specialist public order unit, dog unit, firearms officers, protection officers, marine skilled officers and motorcycle escort officers.

Final planning for their deployments is still under way, but most West Mercia officers will support the work of the Metropolitan Police and Dorset Police.

The additional help is being funded through £600 million made available under the Olympic Security Budget, allowing forces to fill the roles those officers sent to support the Games without footing the bill.

Assistant chief constable Guy Rutter, of West Mercia Police, said: “We are proud that our officers are part of the skilled team who will police the Games, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“We would like to reassure the residents of West Mercia that we have a good level of officers and staff remaining in our force area to maintain core policing. We remain committed to serving and protecting communities.

“Local people should not notice any depreciation in the service we provide. We look forward to welcoming the torch to West Mercia this week.”

• Follow our coverage of the Olympic Torch in Worcester on this site on Thursday.