Statement from ACC Terry Sweeney following today's final Olympic event in Manchester

Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney, Olympics Gold Commander, said: "Greater Manchester Police has been extremely proud to play its part in hosting a safe and successful Olympic Games.

"Nine football matches have been held here at Old Trafford over the last seven days and we have welcomed more than 400,000 fans from all over the world through the turnstiles. Every game has passed peacefully and without incident and it has been fantastic to see such a good-natured atmosphere inside the ground as fans really embraced the spirit of 2012 Olympics Games.

"The safety of the hundreds of thousands of fans who have come to Manchester has always been Greater Manchester Police's priority and we have been meticulously planning for this momentous occasion for the past two years. Undoubtedly this has created challenges for the entire force, but I am extremely proud of the commitment, enthusiasm and professionalism of every officer who has played their part in helping to make this such a safe and secure event and acted as ambassadors not just for GMP, but for the entire country.

"The response from the public has been absolutely overwhelming and it is right we should praise all those who attended events here in Manchester and behaved impeccably. Many of the visitors were families who had never visited our region before and we have received so many positive comments about our policing operation. I have seen countless photographs of GMP helmets on young children stood next to smiling officers and staff and beaming parents, which to me encapsulates the very spirit of this Olympic Games.

"We have worked tirelessly with other police forces, local authorities and emergency services to deliver such a successful policing operation and ensure everything has run smoothly over the past two weeks so I would also like to thank all those people from other organisations. I must also give a massive thank you to all the volunteers, ambassadors and Special Constables who have worked literally hundreds of hours over the past week. It has truly been a team effort.

"The 2012 Olympics have been a global success and I could not be more proud of all the officers and staff from Greater Manchester Police who have been involved in helping to deliver a small but important part of the country's Olympic success."