Tuesday 10 July 2012

London 2012: retired police called in to guard Olympic Games - Daily Telegraph

London 2012: retired police called in to guard Olympic Games - Daily Telegraph

He said the firm sounded "desperate" when they got in touch.

Since awarding G4S the contract, the London Olympic Organising Committee (Locog) had to amend its deal with the company after the number of security guards needed increased from 10,000 to 23,700.

The firm said: "The security operation is gradually building in the lead up to the Games and we are increasing the security workforce deployment numbers in line with this programme.

"We have had some challenges on workforce scheduling this week, which we have discussed with Locog and other stakeholders."

Brigadier Alister Davis, a former British Army commander in Afghanistan, has been in charge of training the guards over a period of nine months.

He admitted it was a "tall order" and said: "Some things are simpler in the desert."


Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

London raises bar on greening the Games - The Guardian

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

London 2012: Missile tenants await legal ruling - BBC News

A High Court judge is to rule later on whether residents can bring a legal action over plans to station surface-to-air missiles on the roof of their tower block during the Olympics.

They argue siting the weapons on Fred Wigg Tower in Leytonstone, east London, will make them a terrorist target.

The MoD has said the missile deployment is legitimate and proportionate.

The 17-storey tower block is one of six locations selected for missiles to be stationed.

The missiles form part of a comprehensive security plan for the Olympic period, protecting key venues.

On Monday, the residents' barrister, Marc Willers, said their block could become the "focus of a terrorist attack" to make an "evil statement".

The defence secretary is accused by the local residents' association of breaching Article 8 and Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

These protect an individual's right to a private life and peaceful enjoyment of their home.

The MoD is also accused of failing to carry out an equality impact assessment (EIA) to take into account the needs of disabled residents.

David Forsdick, appearing on behalf of the MoD, said the decision over where to position the missiles was taken at the "highest levels after rigorous scrutiny".

'No credible threat'

He said it was signed off by the prime minister, deputy prime minister, home secretary and defence secretary in "defence of the realm".

He rejected the allegation that the block could become a focus of terrorism.

He told the court: "The MoD, intelligence agencies and the Metropolitan Police do not consider there is any credible threat to the Fred Wigg Tower from terrorism."

He said that view was supported by a witness statement from Dr Campbell McCafferty, head of UK counter-terrorism at the MoD.

The judge hearing the application, Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, said the case was "urgent" and he hoped to give a quick judgement on whether the residents had permission for a judicial review.


Source: www.bbc.co.uk

London 2012 Olympics: travel disruption at key stations - live blog - The Guardian

Good morning and welcome to today’s Olympics live blog.

Transport for London and Network Rail are clearly worried about the potential for overcrowding on the transport system during the Olympics and for months have been warning Londoners the Games are coming and encouraging them to make alternative transport plans, such as walking to work.

This morning seemed to give a little taste of possible problems to come.

Network Rail has been rehearsing its crowd management and queuing system for the Olympics at key stations around the capital: London Bridge, Cannon Street, Victoria, Charing Cross and Waterloo East.

Twitter users seem unimpressed – especially those using or trying to use London Bridge.

In a separate incident a faulty train on the Northern line at around 8.40am meant platforms became congested and that King’s Cross St Pancras was temporarily closed – for 10 minutes, according to Transport for London – causing scenes large crowds to gather in the streets outside the station (see picture above). This seems to have had a knock-on effect at nearby Euston too.

Were you at any of these stations this morning? Send me your stories and pictures to paul.owen@guardian.co.uk or @paultowen.

Here is what else is coming up today:

The Queen is due to view the Olympic flame at Windsor Castle as it makes its way from Oxford to Reading. Royals and commoners, send your photos to paul.owen@guardian.co.uk or @paultowen. The royal party, joined by Locog boss Sebastian Coe, will meet a number of torch-bearers from the 1948 London Games and meet the designers of the current Olympic torch. Sir Roger Bannister, the first man to break the four-minute mile, carried the flame in Oxford today, the scene of his record-breaking run. Jockey Frankie Dettori and Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis will carry the torch when it reaches Ascot. Five-time Olympic gold-winning rower Sir Steve Redgrave will carry it in a boat in Henley later.

A judge is due to rule on whether the Ministry of Defence can place missiles on the roof a London tower block during the Olympics.

• Bus staff in London have been made an offer for working during the Olympics in a bid to avert the threat of further strikes.

• London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe has said David Beckham will be "more than an ambassador" at the Olympics and will perform two distinct roles.

• Usain Bolt is fit and firing ahead of the Olympics, according to his agent.



Source: www.guardian.co.uk

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