The US has raised concerns about security at the London 2012 Olympics and is preparing to send up to 1,000 of its agents, including 500 from the FBI, to provide protection for America’s contestants and diplomats, according to a story in The Guardian newspaper today (14 November).
American officials have reportedly expressed deep unease that the UK has had to restrict the scope of anti-terrorism stop and search powers, and have sought a breakdown of the number of British police and other security personnel that will be available next summer.
The friction is adding to the pressures on the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), which is responsible for preparing and staging the event. T
he Guardian says it has learned the committee is attempting to resolve a potential crisis over venue security, after conceding it had underestimated the number of security guards needed at the 32 sites across the country. Originally it had thought 10,000 guards would be enough, but after a review over the summer it now believes it will need up to 21,000.
Venue safety is not the responsibility of the police, so the firm G4S was awarded the contract to find and train the initial group. The company will this week begin an advertising campaign to meet that target.
LOCOG told CN detailed security plans were being drawn up in collaboration with the government and security agencies, but refused to comment further on The Guardian’s claims.
The budget for the London 2012 Olympics is currently £9.35bn, which includes a £2.7bn contingency fund. It has increased four-fold since Britain won the bid in July 2005. The Games is expected to have an economic impact for the UK as a whole of £1.9bn.
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