Government outline 2012 Olympic Games security strategy

National Exercise programme announced to test procedures in scenarios including counter terrorism

Baroness Pauline Neville-Jones has announced the government's security strategy to combat security risks threatening the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Speaking at the Olympic and Paralympic Safety and Security Conference 2010, Neville-Jones announced a National Olympic Exercise programme is to start involving all levels of management and responsible parts of the government, to test procedures in a range of scenarios including counter terrorism.

Cyber security is also an issue as Neville-Jones stated cyber threats may come from a number of sources, with the most likely threat currently to be cyber-enabled ticketing fraud.

An action plan is being developed by the Office of Cyber Security to make sure activity already going on is effectively co-ordinated and focused to make sure the Games are not an easy target.

It was also announced that security has been consciously built into the design of the Olympic venues and their buildings, and that a specific Olympic intelligence capability is already in place in advance of the Games, which allow the government to identify the threats and dangers now, plan operational responses and give us the capacity for disruption.

Neville-Jones said: "Our priority is to keep the UK, its citizens and visitors safe."

"We can expect a high level of interest in our security arrangements from all involved organisations and many participating countries."

Further information:
Royal United Services Institute