London: Britain will deploy an additional 1,200 troops to the London Olympics, Jeremy Hunt, minister for the event, announced on Tuesday, in the wake of a shortfall in the security officials provided by private contractor G4S.
The extra troops, who were already standing by on 48-hour notice, bring the total military deployment at the 2012 Olympics to 18,200, AFP reported.
The decision was taken at a cabinet committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron, with just three days left before the Games officially open.
“Security staffing levels at venues have been kept under constant review,” Hunt said.
“G4S numbers continue to rise significantly and we have every expectation that will continue to be the case. However, ministers decided that we should deploy the additional 1,200 troops that were put on standby last week.
“On the eve of the largest peacetime event ever staged in this country, ministers are clear that we should leave nothing to chance.
“The government continues to have every confidence that we will deliver a safe and secure Games.”
Britain had already drafted in an extra 3,500 troops at late notice to replace the G4S shortfall, taking the numbers on “Operation Olympics” to 17,000.
The 1,200 troops on standby were at their regular bases, having been brought down from one week’s notice to 48 hours.
Some 10,500 athletes will take part in the Games.
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