Police 'withdrawn in coming days' (From Bucks Free Press)

Police 'withdrawn in coming days'

3:30pm Monday 16th July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Officers from nine forces drafted in to close a short-term gap in Olympics security should be able to be withdrawn "over the coming days", G4S has said.

The private firm, which has seen its shares dive by as much as 10% following the Games security debacle, said venue security was being tightened "before the full complement of accredited staff have been assigned".

"This situation is being rectified over the coming days, which should lead to the withdrawal of police officers from those roles assigned to private security," said a G4S spokesman.

He added: "As the games get closer, security is being tightened at venues around the UK, before the full complement of accredited staff have been assigned. Some venues are being supported by police in the short-term while the private security workforce is being mobilised.

"We are very grateful to the police for stepping in. This situation is being rectified over the coming days, which should lead to the withdrawal of police officers from those roles assigned to private security."

With less than two weeks until the opening ceremony, ministers insisted the Games would be secure and dismissed the firm's failure to provide the promised 10,000 security guards as a "hitch". But hundreds of police officers are now being deployed, in addition to the 3,500 servicemen and women who were called in last week.

Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, the National Olympic Security Co-ordinator, said: "Nine venue forces have now deployed police officers to support security regimes at venues in their areas."

The forces involved are Dorset, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Northumbria, South Wales, Strathclyde, West Midlands, Thames Valley and Greater Manchester.

Mr Allison went on: "Whilst some of the activity police officers are undertaking was not anticipated, plans were put in place to allow us to do this. Forces are making sure they make the best use of their resources locally to do all they can to minimise the impact on local policing."

He added: "There is a shortfall within G4S. The military have increased their number of military personnel being deployed. We are deploying additional officers consistent with the venue security plan. The plan is exactly the same as it was, it is just being delivered by some slightly different people."