Counter-terrorism strategy

Details can be found on the London 2012 website. 

To deliver a safe and secure Games, in keeping with the Olympic culture and spirit.

Our strategy is to rely on tried, trusted and proven technology. 2012 is not the time to bring in technology that has not been regularly used in the build-up to the Games.

But we will maintain our engagement with industry to make sure we can capitalise on genuine opportunities to innovate or improve effectiveness.

Like at other major events, you will notice security measures in various points, such as on public transport and at the venues. We will be using familiar methods that have been proven to work, such as bag searches, screening machines, CCTV and metal detectors.

As well as police officers, you may see a variety of stewards, security guards, volunteers and emergency services staff who will all be involve din keeping the Games safe and secure.

We will make the policing and security operation as unobtrusive as possible while remaining effective, providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for people to enjoy the Games in safety.

The ODA has a comprehensive programme to reduce security risks through venue design, protect the park during construction, and put the infrastructure in place for additional security measures during the period of the Games.  The Home Office and others including the Met Police are supporting this, including through:

• A dedicated On-Site Operational Policing Team at the Olympic park, liaising with on-site staff and contractors
• A team of United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) staff on site to deal with immigration and right-to-work issues
• Specialist advice from the police and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) on venue design and construction
• Advice on security fencing and other perimeter security measures
• Void Sealing and Certification to reduce risks for ongoing construction work. 

The ODA aim to achieve ‘Secured by Design’ for all the venues constructed by them. Secured by Design is supports the principles of designing out crime by use of effective crime prevention and security standards for a range of applications.

Hand geometry will be used by ODA to control access for construction workers to the Olympic Park. Beyond that, decisions on the use of biometrics for Olympic security have yet to be made. Biometrics will form a key part of the Government’s identity assurance policy by 2012 and will be a routine part of the immigration process. We are exploring with our partners whether there is any further scope to use them in an effective and proportionate way as part of Olympic security.