Run since 1989, the Airshow is held on Roker and Seaburn seafronts and will attract tens of thousands of visitors to Wearside this weekend

Northumbria Police are ready for take-off with the Force once again supporting Sunderland Airshow this weekend.

The event has become a staple of the North-east calendar and has become one of the region’s flagship events since it began in 1989.

Held on Roker and Seaburn seafronts, tens of thousands of visitors are expected to descend on the city to enjoy the unforgettable sights as some of the world’s most magnificent aircrafts fly above Wearside.

Police will once again be supporting the Airshow, which runs from Friday to Sunday (July 26-28), and officers will be on duty across the city this weekend to ensure the event passes without turbulence.

Superintendent Mark Hall, Northumbria Police’s silver commander at the Airshow, said: “Sunderland Airshow is a great spectacle for the region and a fantastic family day out.

“It is a brilliant opportunity for Sunderland to be seen in the national and international spotlight, and to showcase the great city we know it is.

“We have been working with Sunderland City Council and our partner organisations over the last few months to ensure plans are in place to allow the event to run smoothly, and make sure any disruption to our local communities is kept to an absolute minimum.

“As was the case at the Tall Ships and the Airshow last summer, officers will be at the event to reassure and engage with the public. While public safety is our overriding priority, our officers are there to speak to families and answer any questions visitors may have.

“They are friendly and approachable and will be happy to stop and speak to people. We would ask the public to follow our social media channels for the latest safety messages and advice.

“Those attending the event with children or any vulnerable person are asked to approach an officer or steward to collect your wristband, which will greatly assist with any issues of lost or found persons at the event.

“We would ask anyone with any concerns, or who sees anything suspicious throughout the duration of the Airshow, to speak to an officer on patrol or ring 101. In an emergency, contact 999.”

This year’s event opens at the earlier time of 2pm on Friday (July 26) and will continue throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Planned flying displays over the weekend include crowd favourites The Blades, The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, while entertainment this year includes performances by Scouting for Girls and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Sunderland City Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, Councillor John Kelly, said: “Our city’s proud record of staging hugely successful events like Sunderland Airshow is testament to the close working relationships we have with community partners such as Northumbria Police.

“It is their continued help and support which make hosting the tens of thousands of visitors to our award-winning seafront over the three days of the Airshow possible, providing community safety messages and a re-assuring visible presence for people and their families.

“I’d like to thank Northumbria Police and all their officers for helping us to make Sunderland Airshow the fantastic, free family event that it is and I hope that everyone has a hugely enjoyable time again this year.”

For more information about the event, visit www.sunderlandinternationalairshow.co.uk.