No issues over election and Grand Prix, police say

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is expected to attract 450,000 people over the race weekend

The general election falling on the same day as the start of the British Grand Prix will not affect the policing of the race weekend, police said.

Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the next general election will take place on 4 July.

It is also the first day of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, which is expected to attract crowds of more than 450,000 people over the weekend.

Northamptonshire Police said planning for the event "commenced before Christmas".

A spokeswoman for the force said the policing operation at the Grand Prix will be "fully resourced".

Four men and two women were convicted of causing a public nuisance after a track invasion at the event in 2022.

Earlier this year, concerns were raised over the safety of politicians since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.

Northamptonshire Police said it would "also ensure additional resources will be in place across the county to help ensure the public can exercise their democratic right to vote in the upcoming general election".

The count for the new West Northamptonshire Council took place at Silverstone Circuit in 2021 but this year's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election was announced at a sports centre in Northampton.

It has not been decided where the local count for the general election will take place.