UK: OLYMPIC GAMES: Police divers scour the waterways networking across the Olympic Park, as the UK government vow that security will be visible, but not overpowering

Record ID: 332508

  • Title: UK: OLYMPIC GAMES: Police divers scour the waterways networking across the Olympic Park, as the UK government vow that security will be visible, but not overpowering
  • Date: 31st May 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (RECENT) (REUTERS) WATERWAY BY OLYMPIC STADIUM PEOPLE WALKING NEAR STADIUM INSIDE STADIUM / RUNNING TRACK
  • Embargoed: 15th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Crime,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA75XAI8Z7189N0XB1AIVYEW47H
  • Story Text: The Olympic Park closes to the public on Thursday (May 31) until it reopens to welcome athletes, VIP's, spectators and journalists from around the world.
    The Metropolitan Police Service is keeping a close eye on the Olympic Park and on Wednesday (May 30) police divers checked the waterways which criss-cross the east London site for any security threats.
    The government is at pains to stress that security will be tight and officials vigilant during the Games, but that it will not detract from people's enjoyment of the spectacle.
    "Our focus is that security should be visible yes, but not getting in the way of the Games and the enjoyment itself. We are prepared for a range of different issues, from counter-terrorism, organised crime, potential protests as well as incidents, accidents, other things that may simply occur," said James Brokenshire, minister for crime and security at the Home Office.
    The government says that security will be no more obtrusive than at other Olympics.
    Policing the Games will be the country's biggest peacetime security operation.
    Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, National Olympic Security Coordinator, for the Metropolitan Police said they will learn many lessons this upcoming weekend, where millions are expected to throng to the capital to take part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
    "A significant number of the command team who are working this weekend on the Jubilee are part of my Olympic command team, so if there is anything that we can pick up then we clearly will. I think the major issue we are likely to see this weekend is the large numbers of people we will see out on the streets, celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, that's got quite a read across to the Games, with large numbers of people coming out for the torch coming down the river and potentially for the road events, so anything that we can learn about the management of that crowd, together with our partners, because obviously it is predominantly their responsibility, we will take into the Games," he said.
    The government has repeatedly said it will deny entry to the UK to anyone suspected of having the potential to be a threat to security, or who is responsible for human rights abuses.
    Officials from the Syrian Olympic delegation are being closely looked at, but Brokenshire would not say if any individuals have been targeted for banning from the Games.
    "What I can say is that our accreditation process has been focused on dealing with people who may be a risk to safety or security and we are also very clear that people who would not be conducive to the public good, maybe on EU or UN travel bans, will not be allowed to come to the country. And equally, if there is credible, reliable information that someone has been engaged in human rights abuses, then again, they will be refused entry," he said.
    A mix of military, police, private security and volunteer guards will be on visible show at Olympic venues during the Games and Paralympic Games this summer.
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