British Defense Secretary: Missiles May Protect London Olympics

Posted November 14th, 2011 at 5:20 pm (UTC-5)
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British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond says Britain may deploy ground-to-air missiles to provide security for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Hammond told Parliament Monday that authorities will take all necessary measures to ensure the games are safe and secure. He said this includes deploying missiles if the military believes they are needed. Previous Olympic hosts have also deployed missiles.

Also Monday, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported that the United States may send up to 1,000 security agents to the London games. The Guardian says Washington's concerns about Olympics security were sparked by the British police response to the August riots and restriction of anti-terrorism stop-and-search powers. The American agents would help protect U.S. diplomats and athletes.

The Guardian says Western intelligence agencies are worried that al-Qaida or other terrorists may try to disrupt the Olympics, with the U.S. team being a target.

The London Organizing Committee has conceded it underestimated the strength of the security contingent necessary to protect the 32 venues for the Games. The committee originally estimated needing 10,000 security personnel but now believes as many as 21,000 will be needed. The Guardian says senior police officials warned ministers and the committee that 10,000 was too few, but that the costs involved prevented further action.

A British Home Office spokesman says security planning is “on track” and the International Olympic Committee has “full confidence” in the strategy.