London 2012: 13,500 troops to provide Olympic security

BBC News ^ | 15th December 2011 | BBC News

[the scotsman]

'Up to 13,500 military personnel will help to provide security at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Ministry of Defence has announced.

Security would be police-led but the military would make a "significant contribution", the MoD said. Some 5,000 troops will support the police, up to 7,500 will provide venue security and 1,000 will provide logistical support.

Last week, ministers revised the Games security budget from £282m to £553m. In addition to the 13,500 figure, there will be a 1,000-strong unarmed contingency force ready for deployment in the event of an "Olympics-related civil emergency".

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it now estimated 23,700 security staff would be required at Olympic and Paralympic venues next summer, more than double the original estimate of 10,000.

In a written ministerial statement, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that the MoD would be increasing the specialist support work during the Games that it routinely provides for the civilian authorities - such as bomb disposal, building search teams and specialist sniffer dogs.

In addition to the 5,000 personnel allocated to that role, some 3,500 would provide venue security. This figure would rise to 7,500 on peak days during the Olympic Games, he said. The MoD said the servicemen and women would be on hand across the UK to protect 150 venues and training sites.

And as part of the military's Olympic security role, the Royal Navy's HMS Ocean and HMS Bulwark will also be based at Greenwich, in London, and Weymouth Bay, in Dorset, respectively.'

[DoughtyOne]

All that protection, so we can watch canned sob stories about our Olympic athletes, and oh yes, the actual event that will in many instances be much shorter.

[9422WMR]

No way in friggin’ hey would I go to those stupid “games”.
That will be the next target for the terrorists.
It is too easy an opportunity.

[Truth29]

So the original government estimate for cost and required number of security personnel was about 50% off. How much of this cost will come out of the MOD operational budget so there will be even less capability to face Argentina or any other threat?

[Track9]

there will be a 1,000-strong unarmed contingency force ready for deployment in the event of an "Olympics-related civil emergency".

[MaxMax]

One fart and the whole system breaks down.
I think the Muslims will squeeze in a few fart threats.

I hope a whole culture is offended

[DoughtyOne]

I hear ya. I do hope they are able to avoid some idiot jihadist hurting people.

[Don Corleone]

13,500 troops to provide Olympic security

They hit the beaches in France with fewer than that.