Exercise ‘Forward Defensive’ was designed to test Games time plans and structures in a crisis and exercise how police and the emergency services, Government departments and other key agencies would respond to a range of incidents.
Last summer, Home Secretary Theresa May announced the start of a series of Olympic and Paralympic exercises. These are not in response to any specific threat, but provide a valuable opportunity to learn lessons and refine plans.
This latest exercise is part of the Government’s regular National Counter-Terrorism Exercise Programme and was jointly developed by the Home Office and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Metropolitan Police Service assistant commissioner Chris Allison said: “Testing and exercising is vital for getting our safety and security operations for the Games right. We need to be confident that we have the right people in the right places, that we understand how others operate and that we are talking to each other at the right levels and in the right way.”
He continued: “This is part of a series of exercises which we have run in the lead-up to the Games, but this is the first with such a significant response from the emergency services on the ground.”
Inform, reassure and build confidence
James Brokenshire, the minister for crime and security, commented: “We want to deliver a Games where the sporting achievement and the Olympic spirit is what people will remember, not the security. To ensure that happens, we need to test our plans and this exercise has afforded us the opportunity to inform, reassure and build confidence in the UK’s safety and security operation.”
The minister added: “We’re determined to leave nothing to chance in delivering a safe and secure Games that London, the UK and the world can enjoy.”
The Home Secretary attended the scene at the disused Aldwych London Underground station in Surrey Street to see the operational response on the ground.
Security for the Games is being designed to leave a lasting and positive legacy by:
- making communities more resilient against crime and the threat from violent extremism
- improving relationships between the police and other security agencies
- providing experience and knowledge that will help make other major sporting events – including the Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow in 2014 – even safer
Some key numbers related to the Games
- 14,700 athletes from 205 countries will compete
- 26 Olympic sports will take place in 34 venues
- 20 Paralympic sports will take place across 21 venues
- approximately eight million tickets will be sold for the Olympic Games, with another two million for the Paralympic Games
- 20,000 members of the world’s media are expected to attend
Access the dedicated Olympic Games section of the Home Office website for further information