FLIGHT fans at this year’s crowd-pulling Clacton Airshow will see a massive increase in security.

Airshow organisers expect more than 200,000 people will flock to the resort over Thursday and Friday.

This year will see an increased security presence at the airshow site at West Greensward, although police say it is not in response to terrorist attacks at tourist hotspot in Spain and there is no specific threat to Clacton.

Officers from Essex Police’s marine unit have already been carrying out patrols in preparation for the show and they are also working alongside the force’s operational support group.

The council said that while most eyes will be looking to the skies, visitors can also expect to see a whole host of police activity on the ground helping to keep them safe.

These include high visibility patrols and police dogs, plain clothes officers, state-of-the-art CCTV and the force’s drone.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

  • Essex Police's Marine Unit will be on patrol

A spokesman for the Essex Police said: “This approach is not being taken in response to the tragic events in Spain or because of a specific threat to Clacton.

“Essex Police regularly employ a wide range of measures to help deter, detect and disrupt criminal activity including the use of highly visible, unpredictable deployments of police officers and other specialist resources, such as our marine unit and police dogs.

“In the run up to Clacton Airshow, we will be continuing to work closely with partners to keep the public safe and secure, but we also rely on them to be our eyes and ears and immediately report anything that doesn’t feel right.”

Visitors to Clacton and asked people to be patient if they are in a queue and co-operate with any security requests and searches.

Mick Skeels, Tendring Council’s cabinet member for leisure and tourism, asked people to bear with the police as they try to do the best job they can.

“It is in everyone’s interests and it will help ensure that the 26th Clacton Airshow is one of the best yet,” he said.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette: Special moment: The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Lancaster Bomber at a past Clacton Airshow

  • The Red Arrows will be performing on both days of the show

The flying line-up includes the world famous RAF Red Arrows, as well as the MiG-15, Strikemaster, P51-Mustang, Hurribomber, RAF Tutor, Team Raven and the Vampire Pair.

Also confirmed are the Tigers Parachute team and the Catalina.

Fears were raised that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight would not go ahead after aircraft with Merlin engines were ground last week.

But a solo Spitfire, which has a Griffon engine, will take to the skies on both days of the airshow, although it will not be accompanied by the Lancaster.

The popular night flights – which were introduced for the first time last year – will be on Thursday and will involve Otto the helicopter, the Twister Duo Fireflies.