Britain deploys 1,200 more troops to protect Olympics
The British government will deploy an additional 1,200 troops to ensure security for the Olympics, British Sports Minister Jeremy Hunt announced yesterday, July 24.
1,200 extra troops were deployed for the world's biggest sporting event after security contractor G4S said it would not be able to provide the number of guards it had promised.
The new deployment will bring the total number of troops protecting the Olympics to 18,200.
The government saidThe Olympics will begin on July 27.
The British defence secretary is deploying two warships, Typhoon attack helicopters and Puma helicopters as part of security arrangements for the Olympics. The army will also place high-altitude rocket batteries on some of the rooftops of buildings in
Last week, Mr Hunt said there was no need to deploy more troops, but putting an extra 1,200 on standby would mean they could be deployed within 48 hours rather than seven days if required.
Last week, G4S CEO Nick Buckles came under intense pressure from lawmakers concerned about security. Mr. Buckles said his company should not have agreed to provide 10,400 security guards for the Olympics, six days after the security giant admitted it could not do so. “We regret signing this contract,” he said under pressure from lawmakers. The company’s failure forced the government to call in 3,500 more troops to help. G4S received a $444 million government contract to provide security for the Olympics.
At Buckles' testimony before lawmakers a week ago, he said only 4,000 security guards were trained and ready. Buckles said the company hoped to have 7,000 ready for duty by the start of the Games, though he called the exact number "a goal to strive for."
G4S says it could lose up to $77 million after failing to recruit enough staff.
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