The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond)
In my statements to the House on 15 December 2011 and 3 July this year, I set out the defence contribution to the safety and security of the Olympic and Paralympic games in support of the Home Office and Department for Culture Media and Sport. Elements of that support are now deploying and I am writing to update the House prior to the start of the games.
RAF Typhoon aircraft have deployed to RAF Northolt; RAF Puma helicopters have arrived at Ilford Territorial Army Centre and ground-based air defence systems and air observers are beginning to deploy to their sites today, all to support the air security plan when the airspace restrictions over London come into force on 14 July.
HMS Ocean will arrive on the Thames on 13 July with Royal Marines to provide security on the river and further helicopters to support both the air and Thames security plans.
Other elements of support to police-led security will deploy at different stages between now and the start of the games, including a range of personnel, both regular and reservists, and other assets including HMS Bulwark and RFA Mounts Bay which will provide support in Weymouth bay. Along with an Olympic military contingency force, and enabling units, this support amounts to some 6,000 personnel.
In my earlier statement to the House, on 15 December 2011, I said that we would also deploy, at peak, 7,500 personnel to support the London Organising Committee for the Olympic games’ venue security operation across the period of the games. These personnel have also begun to deploy to venues to support the rolling search and lock-down process between now and the start of the Olympics, alongside the police, the commercial security provider, G4S, and volunteers. As the venue security exercise has got under way, concerns have arisen about the ability of G4S to deliver the required number of guards for all the venues within the time scales available. Ministers have been monitoring this situation and, where necessary, preparing contingency measures. G4S has now agreed that it would be prudent to deploy additional military support to provide greater reassurance. The Home Secretary, the Culture Secretary and I have therefore agreed the deployment of a further 3,500 military personnel. This will bring the total number of military personnel, from all three services and including reservists, contributing to the safety and security of the games to 17,000. The chiefs of staff recognise the importance of the Olympic games and support this deployment, confirming that this deployment is feasible and will have no adverse impact on other operations.
Ministers across Government recognise the burden that this additional short-notice deployment will impose upon individual service men and women and their families, especially over the summer holiday season. We will ensure that all those taking part receive their full leave entitlement, even if it has to be rescheduled, that no one is out of pocket due to cancelled personal arrangements and that all deployed personnel are appropriately supported.
I can confirm that there remains no specific threat to the games. Nor is there an increased threat to the games. We are confident that the UK is ready and able to provide a safe and secure Olympic games for the whole world to enjoy.