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Subscribe to RSSJust two weeks away from the Olympic Opening Ceremony, the British government has announced thousands of additional soldiers will be sent to provide security at game venues.
Updated at 2 p.m. ET: LONDON — Britain's military was asked to provide an 3,500 extra personnel for the Olympic Games with only 16 days to go before the opening ceremony, government sources told NBC News on Wednesday.
Private security contractor G4S conceded it may not be able to supply the numbers of guards — made up of certified security workers and temporary recruits — it had originally agreed.
A company statement said: "We have encountered some issues in relation to workforce supply and scheduling over the last couple of weeks, but are resolving these every day and remain committed to providing a security workforce for the start of the London 2012 Games.
"Our planning with [The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games] and other security agencies allows for a variety of contingencies which have been reviewed in the build-up to the Games. We accept that the Government has decided to overlay additional resources," the statement added.
It would be potentially a major embarrassment for Olympic organizers who have insisted plans are in place to ensure the games is safe.
Matt Dunham / AP
In this May 3, 2012 file photo, Sergeant Craig from Britain's Royal Artillery regiment holds a high-velocity missile, or HVM, lightweight multiple launcher during a media event ahead of a training exercise designed to test military procedures prior to the Olympic period in Blackheath, London.
G4S has a contract reportedly worth almost $460 million to provide the personnel, many of whom are still being trained.
The military had previously been asked to provide a total of about 13,000 personnel, including up to 7,500 for civilian security at games venues. The remainder will be involved in military operations linked to games security.
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Sources told NBC News that some of the extra 3,500 will come from a contingency of 1,000 soldiers on standby for Olympic emergencies.
The news follows reports last month of serious concerns within the Home Office -- an equivalent to the Department of Homeland Security -- that G4S would be unable to meet its obligations for the Olympics.
In June, ITV News reported concerns at the effectiveness of security provided by G4S staff under training for the Olympics.
Simon Israel, the Home Affairs Correspondent for Channel 4 News, posted on Twitter that G4S would be fined $77,000 for each day it failed to provide the agreed number of personnel.
Have also been told G4S penalised �£50000 a day per venue for not meeting staffing levels at venues
— simon israel (@simonisrael) July 11, 2012
It is the largest British security operation carried out in peacetime.
Thousands of new recruits are being trained to operate x-ray machines, search vehicles and stand guard at Olympic venues across the country.
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Such is the scale of the operation; the training will continue right up until a few days before the opening ceremony.
More than 100,000 people applied for the 10,400 temporary jobs in what G4S had described as one of the biggest paid recruitment drives in Britain this century. Last week, Ian Horseman Sewell, managing director of G4S Global Events, told Reuters in an interview that the company was "absolutely on track to deliver".
The issue of security is a particularly relevant one to Olympics organizers. The decision to award the Olympics to London was announced on July 6, 2005. Just a day later, London suffered its worst peacetime attack when four suicide bombers killed 52 commuters.
Msnbc.com's Alastair Jamieson and Reuters contributed to this report. This story was first published by ITV News, the UK partner of NBC News.
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Looks like Britain might have to handle things Rolling Stones style by hiring motorcycle gang members as security officers.
In a country reeling from austerity measures and cuts to social services, it's wonderful to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to help the Olympics. Great investment of the public's money. After all, sports is great entertainment, who needs doctors, trains, subways, stuff like that in the UK when you can spend money on games.
Karl- Eh if the public didn't want it they would of petitioned or protested. Besides its not so cut dry like you wish for it to be mere "games." The way you speak of it is that they have zero going to the healthcare sector and transportation and EVERYTHING to this. Please. Be a bit more educated next time you express yourself.
Spectator sports are generally stupid, and mostly stupid people with too much testosterone get into them. How many times have you heard someone say, "I'm so glad we beat the Cowboys this weekend!" Um, you weren't wearing a helmet, you jack wagon, what do you think you did to contribute to the win? Yell a little bit? And who cares who wins anyway? What does it change other than a few players' salaries and the print on your T-shirt?
However, the Olympics truly do (to a degree) represent the best and the fittest from each nation, and I see nothing wrong with the pride and excitement someone feels when their nation's athletes compete against the best from other countries. It's an opportunity for patriotism, and it gives the whole world something that they can share in peacefully for a few weeks and watch together as one planet.
Still, I think cheering for the Broncos or watching UFC is just plain stupid. Sports fans are the reason that aliens don't set down here. They prove that we're 99% chimpanzee.
Sounds like the UK version of the US's TSA lol!
i'm not worried bout it...i'm not competing...just gon'a watch it for the light show...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhJvSw99G1E
G4S USED to be more widely known as 'Wackenhut' - there is your problem right there. Lost the US Gov contract for securing nuclear facilities in the aftermath of 9-11 due to its officers sleeping on the job at the facilities they were supposed to be patrolling.
One only needs to look through the numerous Negligent Security lawsuits to see the kind of rubbish that these "premium" security outfits provide: Poor training of security guards - Poor hiring practices for security positions - Failure to do background checks on personnel - Inadequate security provided for the amount of property - Failure to provide new locks or security code when needed - Poor key or security code control - Failure to act when a known criminal is on or near the property, or when there has been an increase in violent crime in the area - Inadequate or malfunctioning security equipment. Then there are the other lawsuits: guards stealing property from clients' work places (the very stuff they are there to protect), women being raped in their own vehicle with a guard present at the lot (who could barely walk, but could lift the toll gate, eh?) etc, etc, etc.
Perhaps countries hosting the Olympics would be better off contracting Nato forces or units of the International Peace-keeping forces instead of entrusting the Games to shoddy rent-out security outfits? OR, perhaps every nation competing could also send some of their military along with their athletes - perhaps that 460m price tag would be more justified then? At least the officers would be of proper quality for such a venue. Just some thoughts....
We have encountered some issues in relation to workforce supply and scheduling over the last couple of weeks
How about hiring some US veterans that are specialized on terrorism? That could be a good job for our military -even if it is temporary-
Actually its G4S Wackenhut, G4S acquired Wackenhut just a few yrs ago, even before this the two companies had worked closely together. You are wrong about them losing the contracts and just because a few guards were caught sleeping doesnt mean it happens all the time..
Just a few months ago a air traffic controller was sleeping on the job, does that mean all of them do? All the time? http://abcnews.go.com/US/reno-nevada-air-traffic-controller-caught-asleep-job/story?id=13366260
Britain has money for these games, wars and Queen!
For rest, it is austerity measures!
Why is Britain requiring such a big security for running Olympics Games?
DCI Tom Barnaby will handle the security.
Will G4S refund a large amount of money to the British government because it couldn't fulfill the conditions of the contract?
I hear Greece and Spain have surplus labor that could be recruited for these jobs. However, this may be problematic in that potential hires will demand a two day work week and a pension for life.
*chortle snort* - Nice Nihilist
Of course another problem might be that potential security personel are afraid they might be abandoned to sleep under bridges:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/investigation-launched-into-treatment-of-jubilee-staff-left-to-sleep-under-london-bridge-16169303.html
*chortle snort* back at you.... lol
So, would that be rent-free under the bridge with all utilities paid?
They have a British solution too!
They may not be paid at all.
Calling all terrorists, calling all terrorists: Book your tickets to London now.
Why announce this? "Hey everybody, we're short on security!"
It's like a bank announcing a shift change.
Correct......my thoughts exactly ...
Ironically, all those who are trying to expose the London Olympics security and the real threat that something is going to happen are being silenced and stopped from getting to the main media, but every so often stories like this do get through, but its not just the shortages of 3500 security. Its also the fact that G4S has missing uniforms, flawed tactics and training, and have policies in place to speed up the crowded days by skipping on security measures... Something will happen, too many false flags are being ran just like the 9/11 attack and London Subway bombings.
"too many false flags are being ran just like the 9/11 attack..."
Like what for instance. Inquiring minds want to know.
Pre 9/11 They ran simulations and training for the planes hitting the towers.
London Subway: Same thing for a terror attack on the tube stations.
London Ceremony: They are running threats based off of terrorist sneaking a dirty bomb into the area, which wont be hard because the stadium is built over an old nuclear reactor site, its still covered with radiation. A dirty bomb wouldnt be detected. Then again I think its all our governments doing this anyways, but regardless.
Those who dont believe the Illuminati/NWO Theory should research what went on behind the scenes of these attacks, and the scenes of this one. Really good youtube videos out there. A lot of these events were even put into movies and other media before hand, for more than I could type out here. Some seem off hand, others are really good pieces of evidence.
British are well known for their "great democratic" freedoms and lectures on them. So all sorts of Muslim criminals, uneducated bunch, radicals, terrorists got British special "asylums"!
British, the great protectors of rights, did not even extradite them when asked.
Now if they hold these missiles on the head of a law abiding citizen like I, is it not my violation of fundamental rights?
So happy we are not having this event in our country. The costs of hosting the Olympics far exceeds the national honor.
If Chicago had gotten the Olympics you can beleive Daley would have sucked billions if not trillions from the Federal Treasury.
Who the heck came up with those tacky uniforms for our athletes to wear. They look comical, unflattering and nothing more than a walking ad for Ralph Lauren.
Thank you Rio de Janirio
Hey we have a Ton of Homeland Security here.
Let's rent them to London.
Throw in some Border Agents since their closing down secondary checkpoints.
Better yet, see if the Drug Cartels want in on London.
They've got lot's of experience.
Good Job London.
Nice to know somebody was checking in with the Contracted Security Companies to make sure they were meeting their obligations.
Wait till the Final Minute to figure out you have a problem.
Are the British taking a break from Syria and Iran?
They got good experience in Iraqi wars!
The British Olympic games is creating world records! They have special guests like Dow Chemicals as their sponsors!
I have a feelling this event is going to be an absolute disaster.
I had that same feeling when they announced the location .....
Just wait and and see.
The games will be great!!!
Ask for volunteers for security...makes no sense.... but they might have too if the military can't give them 3,500 'more' soldiers for nine days. And do indeed fine that security contractor who failed to suppy the correct amount in time.
These days British have become experts in disasters!
In Iraqi wars, they became disasters. They ready to pack their bags in Afghanistan. So now they are getting busy on Olympic games, Syria, Iran and other places!
Don't worry about bank disasters. Unemployment helps the capitalism.
But I thought Mitt Romney fixed the olympics?? Doesn't sound fixed to me! Why the staffing shortage? Are they expecting them to work for free perhaps?
I presume the comment about Romney was made in humor, but sometimes you can't be sure on these boards. For those wondering, Romney was, of couse, involved in a different Olympics, more than a decade ago...
Lol. That was my first thought too.
The @IT Guy is just coming back from extended rehab and has a bit of catching up to do.
Typical IT guy,gets his dates mixed up.
Maybe they should hire a few thousand north African muslims to fill those jobs.
You want cheap labor, right?
What could possibly go wrong?
All this spin is making me dizzy.
One of the biggest waste of resources.
How fast can a human run,swim,jump.....etc ?
I don't care.
My thoughts exactly!!
Good thing you two (ptownz and Cary) are a small minority.
Import them from US - we have plenty of these government bred parasites.
This is a wonderful announcement to make .......I'm sure the athletes as well as spectators fell much safer now ..... -__-
Why not export the jobs to countries in the Eurozone? Or would that be import?
Either way, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be willing to work. Security workers don't always receive the highest level of training. Seems like the military should be bust doing...military stuff.
The article says they problem is getting the people trained and certified. This is not a shortage of workers. This is the contractor not being competent/able to deliver on the contract.
It says they'll be fined $77,000 per day that they don't have enough workers. That should be $77,000 per day PER WORKER, since the government is now obligated to cover the shortfall, and will now have to absorb the cost of this company's incompetence.
Muhammad is a thorn in the world's side.
Remember Munich???
I am glad that some body does.
I can push a button and launch a "HIGH VELOCITY MISSILE" into a crowd if I see a terrorist! Hire me!
All this high firepower is for looks anyway. I would fear a backpack or shoulder bag more than anything from the sky.
These weapons are more appropriate for an expected attack by another state rather than terrorists. Do they have actual intelligence on that or did they just like the looks of it when they saw the missles at the olympics in China?
The terrorists will end up stealing all this hardware and have it show up in a train station or airport somewhere.
What about all those unemployed Muslim "students" hanging around? Maybe they could help.
They fully intend to.
That is one arrogant comment, to think that all Muslims are terrorists. Only about 5% of the Muslim population is like that, and the rest are quite peaceful. Heck, even Iran's citizens are taking more American and European ideas, despite being threatened with death. If you want some real truth, look at who trained the 'terrorists..' Need a hint? Their agency is starts with a C, ends with an A, and has an I in between.
I'm not surprised the Home Office has concerns with this company. The date for the 2012 Olympics has been set in stone and G4S is still training people?! Kind of late in the game don't you think?
G4S, as the company hired to handle security, should be completely ready to go with well trained employees by now. Someone goofed on the number crunching as far as personnel needed. If they were in doubt, they should of hired more originally.
As they and their company's reputation is finding out, it's easier to cutback on trained personnel than to hire and train new people quickly. I hope everything stays safe there, but I'm glad I'll be watching it from home.
Likely the "training" is on how to fill out their time sheets and how to look cute in their uniforms.
Training is quick however. Muslim wearing heavy jacket in summer - good, British accent eating pork mince pie - beat into coma.
Maybe the visitors & spectators will have a little less groping and harrassment to endure.
SIGN ME UP. If they pay for my ticket to fly to the Olympics I will work Security
detail and if they pay for me to work during the Olympics.
Now, if the press will just reveal exactly where the shortages are, the terrorists job will be a lot easier.
That's also what I was thinking.
Why not just hang up pictures of bulldog Camilla with the quote "we are watching you." She is ugly enough to scare anybody straight.
Bonus---it helps because people will already be used to seeing them on the streets when maritial law is declared!