Record 564,000 attend British Grand Prix as police praise fans for safe Silverstone weekend

Around 170,000 spectators were at the circuit on Sunday (July 5) to watch Charles Leclerc claim victory, bringing the four-day attendance to its highest ever level.

Chief Inspector Pete Basham, who led the policing operation, said the event had concluded successfully, with only 26 crimes reported and 15 arrests made despite the huge crowds.

Officers, supported by colleagues from Thames Valley Police and the Special Constabulary, maintained a visible presence throughout the event, patrolling the circuit, campsites, nearby villages and surrounding road network.

Specialist teams, including armed officers, search units, covert officers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) units, were deployed, while Live Facial Recognition technology was also used during the event.

Chief Inspector Basham said: "The safety and security of racegoers and local communities is always our priority when policing this hugely popular event.

"This year saw the biggest crowds ever over the four days and it was exceptionally busy both at the circuit and across the surrounding area.

"The vast majority of people attended simply to enjoy the event and, given its size and the volume of people on site and staying locally, the number of incidents remained very low."

He thanked visitors for engaging with police and security staff and reporting any concerns, saying their support played a vital role in helping to keep the event safe.

Chief Inspector Basham also praised the work of officers and partner organisations, including Silverstone Circuits, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, East Midlands Ambulance Service, National Highways, local authorities and military colleagues.

He added: "It's a huge honour for us to police this prestigious event. I hope everyone who visited Silverstone had a memorable and enjoyable visit, and congratulations to Charles Leclerc on his victory."