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Guardian - US officials worried about security at London 2012 Olympics
The Guardian 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. But the organising committee does not have the money to pay G4S to make up the shortfall, and does not believe the firm has enough time to do so, forcing ministers to turn to the Ministry of Defence for help. The MoD has offered 3,000 soldiers, and another 2,000 in reserve - half the total required. The ministry is working within its own tight budget, and the late request for help has irritated some officials. "What have they been doing for the last five years?" asked one. "There is less than a year to go and they've only just realised they need twice the number of security guards they first thought. Where is the money to pay for this coming from?
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. But the organising committee does not have the money to pay G4S to make up the shortfall, and does not believe the firm has enough time to do so, forcing ministers to turn to the Ministry of Defence for help.
The MoD has offered 3,000 soldiers, and another 2,000 in reserve - half the total required. The ministry is working within its own tight budget, and the late request for help has irritated some officials.
"What have they been doing for the last five years?" asked one. "There is less than a year to go and they've only just realised they need twice the number of security guards they first thought. Where is the money to pay for this coming from?
what a joke !!
anyway, no doubt to reassure us all that they're taking it all very very seriously indeed, Phillip Hammond slightly over-reacts.
Guardian - Ground-to-air missiles could be deployed at London Olympics.
Seriously, do you need to read any more ? I am reminded of the tanks Blunkett sent to Heathrow in 2003 brandishing weapons that could only have caused far more mayhem than they could ever have solved. keep to the Fen Causeway
sekurity, is purity... it's you and me.
your kids are louts, they fight and shout
we've got the cure you'll see
a uniform for every thug, to keep the homeland free
so step on up for uncle sachs, you dumbass criminal types
we'll teach to have self respect, make borgs of you pussy asswipes
" * "
creaky segue to crooning, sobbing, drooling 40's violins
the women and children sleep so quiet and safe, because all the gangs have united, la la la, peace in the valley, tanks in the street, chips with everything.
you lucky, lucky people, extra GM chocolate for you!
'The history of public debt is full of irony. It rarely follows our ideas of order and justice.' Thomas Piketty
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