As the National Olympic security co-ordinator, I’m confident that we are in a good place ahead of the Games thanks to the professionalism and commitment of the British police service and our partners.
We have been planning since we won the bid in 2005, and have made incredible progress towards what will be our biggest ever pre-planned policing operation. By using tried and tested ways of working we will deliver my priority: a robust yet discrete policing operation which, first and foremost, allows the 2012 Games to be a celebration of sport and culture.
As the Games draw nearer, we are increasingly moving into the operational phase. National structures are in place to co-ordinate across safety and security partners, not least the National Olympic Co-ordination Centre (NOCC). This unique multi-agency facility, based at New Scotland Yard, gives us the necessary co-ordination to provide me with the information I need to keep Government and partners briefed, to support Gold Commanders nationally and to co-ordinate our response to the challenges of the Games.
Another national function for the Games, the Olympic Intelligence Centre continues to manage intelligence so we are best able to respond to any emerging threat, locally and nationally, which may challenge us.
Our planning has been to a level which gives us flexibility and scalability no matter the threat: be it crime, terrorism, public order or natural hazard.
Security operations at the venues
The sporting venues are near completion and the 12 forces which will police them, together with the British Transport Police, have developed their own local operations.
We are working closely with the Games organisers, LOCOG, to ensure a seamless security operation which is effective yet not oppressive. I praise the work of colleagues who have responded to the challenge by developing local plans which are detailed, robust and nationally consistent.
Most importantly, we are nearing our final understanding as to the resourcing challenge and the logistics required of what will be our largest ever deployment. With over 12,000 police officers keeping the Games safe nationally on peak days, the police service has responded to what is most certainly a unique requirement.
Indeed, every force in the country is playing its part and has committed to supply officers to ensure we have the right skilled and trained police personnel in the right place to keep the Games safe.
Fair and proportionate approach
A fair and proportionate approach has been taken to resource planning across all forces, taking into account local capacity, capability and local events while also being sure that every force retains the capacity to continue to deliver core policing for our wider communities.
This has been a huge challenge and is great testimony to the professionalism of the service, working together to meet the extraordinary demand and, all the while, putting the national need ahead of localism.
Throughout the entirety of the UK, colleagues from the emergency services and all our local partners have worked together to prepare for the Olympic Torch Relay which will begin its epic journey in just a matter of weeks on 18 May. We have strong regional commands in place and a well-trained Met-led Torch Relay Security Team. The final local preparations are now being made.
Inevitably there will be be unexpected disruptions and challenges, but it’s through effective local planning and partnership working that we will be successful.
All of the progress I describe is the result of incredible teamwork, dedicated officers and staff across all forces and partners involved, and I am proud to say I have seen the British police service at its best.
With just 100 days to go now, I am fully confident we will deliver a truly once-in-a-lifetime event, showcasing Britain and the police service to the world.
Chris Allison is national Olympic security co-ordinator, assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan Police Service and head of the ACPO Olympics Business Area
This blog appears on the official ACPO website
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