London 2012 Faces ‘greatest Security Challenge’

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics are likely to present the UK’s ‘greatest security challenge’ since World War II, according to Home Office minister Lord West.

Lord West is reviewing the best way to protect built-up areas, transport systems and national infrastructures from terrorist attacks and has stated that the level of terrorist threat at the London 2012 Olympics is expected to be severe.

West said it was important to ensure measures were not so heavy-handed that they frightened people away from the Games.

‘We do not underestimate the scale of the Olympics challenge. The Olympics and Paralympics are about sport and not security.

‘We want the world to be inspired by sport in London, and our security plans have to strike a balance between visible security and the welcome that we want.

‘There is no doubt that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games promises to be the greatest Games in history – and possibly the greatest security challenge the UK has faced since the Second World War.’

Shadow security minister Dame Pauline Neville Jones, has also added that the role of the armed forces during the Games must be confirmed.

In January, General Sir David Richards – who is now head of the Army – told MPs that ‘the sooner we get clarity, the better’ on the Olympic security process.

Dame Pauline believes the Army should have a role at the Games, but stressed this did not necessarily mean that soldiers should conduct high-profile patrols.

She said: ‘What I understand at the moment is that there is agreement that they should be part of it, but they haven’t yet been told what they are going to be doing.

‘That’s one of the reasons I think General Richards wants to know. He has to factor that in to what he’s doing with his men in 2012.’

A Home Office spokesman said that the armed forces were expected to provide additional specialist support and back-up to police and other security teams at the Games.

Two senior staff from the Ministry of Defence have already been seconded into roles on the planning team for Olympic security.