- The government delegate in Madrid stressed that this figure represents a “significant reinforcement” in the number of agents compared to the previous year, which was around 600, in a context of reinforced level 4 anti-terrorist alert
- “This important deployment will ensure the safety of all attendees,” said Francisco Martín
- One of the novelties of this year is that the traffic inside the Sol station will not be suspended on 30 and 31, only the accesses to the outside will be closed
A total of 800 National Police personnel will participate in security devices on the occasion of the end of the year events and the Three Kings parades, as detailed today by the Government delegate in the Community of Madrid, Francisco Martín, after presiding over the second meeting of the ‘Christmas Plan 2023’.
This figure represents a “significant reinforcement” compared to the previous year, which was about 600 agents, which is intended to “guarantee the safety of all attendees” in a context such as the current reinforced level 4 anti-terrorist alert.
Among the events and celebrations that have been reviewed at the meeting have been contemplated: the general rehearsal of the bells, the bells of New Year’s Eve, the two editions of the San Silvestre Vallecana and the different parades of Reyes.
Held at the headquarters of the Government Delegation, it was attended by the superior head of the National Police in Madrid, Manuel Soto Seoane, together with officials from the Municipal Police of Madrid, SAMUR-Civil Protection, Firefighters, Regional Transport Consortium, Metro, EMT and Renfe.
Main novelty: Sun does not suspend internal circulation
One of the main novelties of this year is that during the 30th and 31st of December access and evacuation through the Sol station will not be allowed from 18:00 hours, but the circulation inside it, where the traffic of trains and connections will not be suspended. In this way it is intended “to facilitate mobility and reduce inconvenience to passengers,” said the government delegate.
Francisco Martín wanted to acknowledge the effort made by the transport operators and the FCSE, given that an influx of 15,000 people each of those two days is planned at the Puerta del Sol.
Preúvas and campanadas
During the run-ins and the day of the bells, a device of 500 agents —formed by National Police and Municipal Police— will be deployed in the area of the Puerta del Sol.
From December 29, the Citizen Participation units of the Superior Police Headquarters and the Central Police Station will carry out information work in the affected shops and restaurants in order to transfer the measures adopted and require their collaboration.
On the afternoon of the 30th they will work on the safety of the trial: UIP and UPR, the Mobile Section, Canine Guides and Subsoil Equipment. On 30 and 31, at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Police Intervention Unit supported by the Prevention and Reaction Unit and members of the Municipal Police will proceed to the total eviction of the Puerta del Sol, using the adjacent streets for the personnel of the SELUR (Special Service of Urgent Cleaning) to carry out the cleaning of the place and the removal of waste. Once evicted and inspected by the police, access to the Plaza will be allowed through Alcalá, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Mayor and Arenal streets.
In these streets prefilters and filters will be established by the National Police and Municipal Police, in which Civil Protection volunteer personnel will count the people who can access the Plaza, in order not to exceed the maximum capacity, which will be established by the Madrid City Council.
Also, at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Community of Madrid, an Operational Coordination Center (CECOR) will be established at 22:00 hours, composed of the operational commands of the National Police and Municipal Police, as well as those responsible for the other agencies involved.
San Silvestre Vallecana
It consists of two races, both in the afternoon of December 31. The first, the so-called San Silvestre Popular, is scheduled to leave at 16:50 h. with completion at 19.45 h. The second, the San Silvestre Internacional, will depart at 19:55 h. and is scheduled to finish at 20:40 h. The route is the usual one every year: Concha Espina Street, Serrano, Plaza de la Independencia, Alcalá Street, Plaza de Cibeles, Paseo del Prado, Plaza del Emperador Carlos and Avenida de la Albufera, ending the popular one in Candilejas Street and the international one in the Vallecano Ray Stadium.
The number of participants can reach 37,000 runners in the popular race and 1500 in the professional race.
In the security device, close to the 400 components, the police units specialized in public order will intervene: UIP and UPR, the Mobile Section, Canine Guides and Subsoil Equipment.
Horseback riding
A total of 19 parades will be held in the different districts of Madrid, where around 800 police personnel will be deployed.
On January 3, Chamartín and Fuencarral-Las Tablas will take place, while on January 4, they will be held in the districts of Moratalaz, Usera, San Blas, Villa de Vallecas, Tetuán, Carabanchel, Ciudad Lineal, Fuencarral, Moncloa and Aravaca. And on January 5 in the districts of Vicálvaro, Latina, Villaverde, Hortaleza, Barajas and Puente de Vallecas, plus the central one.
The great horseback ride through the center of Madrid will take the usual route: it will depart from New Ministries, continue along the Paseo de la Castellana, continue along the Paseo de Recoletos and end at the Plaza de Cibeles. It will begin at 18:00 h. and will end at 21:00 h. A large influx of people, some 200,000 people, is planned, and there will be gradual traffic cuts from 10:00 a.m.
From 16:00 h. a security device composed of the following Police Units will be established: UIP, UPR, Cavalry, Subsoil, Canine Guides and Aerial Media