Extra troops to be deployed to guard Olympic venues
Extra troops are to be deployed to guard Olympic venues due to fears that private security firm G4S won’t be able to provide enough staff to adequately protect them.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed that an addiitional 1,200 troops placed on standby last week would be deployed following a Cabinet Committee meeting yesterday morning to discuss preparations for the Games.
These are in addition to the 3,500 troops drafted in last week to protect the Games.
"There are three days to go and London 2012 remains very much on track," said Hunt yesterday. "Opening Ceremony rehearsals have started and over 4,000 athletes have arrived in London and their response to the Village and the venues has been hugely positive.
"Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, has praised our plans, saying that the Games "have all the elements necessary for success".
The Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, discussed venue security and agreed that although G4S numbers "continue to rise significantly" troops should be deployed.
"On the eve of the largest peacetime event ever staged in this country, Ministers are clear that we should leave nothing to chance," said Hunt. "The Government continues to have every confidence that we will deliver a safe and secure Games."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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