posted on Jan, 23 2012 @ 02:06 PM
This is the complete report from The Daily Star, 22/01/12 Feeding Britain's Closed and Simple Minds.
BRITISH athletics pin-up Jessica Ennis will begin her bid for Olympic gold amid the biggest policing presence of London 2012.
We can reveal forces outside London have been asked to send more officers to the capital on the opening day of the women’s heptathlon than when
global sprint star Usain Bolt runs the next day.
Despite there being exactly the same number of events within London on the two days, August 3 has been highlighted as the peak policing day of the
Games,
Other dates within the 17-day sporting spectacular, which runs from July 27 to August 12, requiring the most “reinforcements” include July 29
and August 8.
Security experts say intelligence reports about terror threats are the reason for the difference in numbers.
When Jessica first competes on August 3 there are approximately 45 different sessions in London – and six outside the capital.
Jessica, 25, will be in two of them. The Sheffield-born beauty will enter the Olympic Stadium at around 10am to kick off the women’s two-day
heptathlon contest.
After completing the 110m hurdles and high jump, she will return in the evening to take on Russian rival Tatyana Chernova in the shot put and
200m. The following day, Jamaican sprinter Bolt, 25, is first in action in the 100m.
Among policing plans seen by the Daily Star Sunday, one of the country’s largest forces has been asked to supply the Met with 174 officers that
day.
But on August 3, West Yorkshire Police has been asked for 196 officers, including 132 in “battle-dress uniform”.
Ten specialist firearms officers and six close protection agents have also been requested. Police chiefs say that, in total, “peak” days will
see around 9,000 officers in the capital.
The Metropolitan Police’s Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, head of its security operation for the Games, said a Mumbai-style terror attack was
one of a host of potential threats.
He said: “Our planning is designed to mitigate against potential risks during the summer of 2012. We aim to pre- deploy certain specialist assets to
bolster our operation.”
The policing requirements are being co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Under “mutual aid” agreements all forces have
to be ready to help out colleagues in other parts of the UK.
Last week Royal Marines and elite police took part in a practice exercise on the River Thames ahead of the Games.
The security operation will be boosted by thousands of troops.