UK's top police officers head for BT Convention Centre
23 Jun 08
The UK's most senior police officers and police authorities are heading for Liverpool tomorrow (Tuesday June 24, 2008) as the BT Convention Centre hosts the annual ACPO-APA summer conference.
Hosted by ACPO president Ken Jones and APA chair Bob Jones, Chief Constables and Chairs from the 44 police forces and police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to attend what has been described as the most important policing event in the UK.
This year's conference will last for three days and will include a major international exhibition running from 25-26 June. There will be exhibitors of security and police-related products, such as state-of-the-art surveillance vehicles, forensics, new technologies and body armour.
Among those addressing the conference is Rt. Hon Jacqui Smith MP, Secretary of State for the Home Office.
Jacquie Rogers, BT Convention Centre General Manager, said: "This is a high profile and prestigious event and we're delighted to be welcoming those involved to the BT Convention Centre in our first year.
"It is a great example of an event which has been attracted to the city because of our superb facilities and the increasing recognition Liverpool is gaining as a centre of excellence."
ACC Liverpool is the £164million waterfront venue which consists of the 10,600-seat Liverpool Echo Arena and the state of the art BT Convention Centre.
ACPO President Ken Jones said: "I am absolutely delighted that this year's conference is being held in Liverpool during its year as European Capital of Culture. This is our most important annual gathering of members and policing decision-makers and Liverpool provides a fitting setting for the debate about the future of the Police service in 2008."
Association of Police Authorities Chairman Bob Jones said: "We very much look forward to bringing the conference to the city and are excited that ACC Liverpool has the potential to ensure the conference and international policing exhibition provide an excellent experience for all visitors."
Event organiser Lucy McPhail added: "We are very excited about coming to Liverpool. ACC Liverpool is a fantastic venue which allows us to accommodate 150 exhibitors right next to state of the art conference facilities. This event invariably attracts interest from the national media so is a great profile-builder for both the BT Convention Centre and Liverpool itself."
ACC Liverpool opened in January 2008. Its development was jointly promoted by Liverpool Vision, national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the European Objective One Programme and Liverpool City Council.