Military called in as G4S bungle Olympics security op

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

Up to 3,500 soliders are to be drafted in to guard the Olympics after official security firm G4S failed to deliver.

The company signed a contract to provide 10,000 security staff for the Games, but have come up 3,500 short.

Now troops from the British army will make up the shortfall.

The contract for 2012's security is worth £535 million to G4S, but Home Office minister James Brokenshire has said that some of the money will now be withheld.

G4S, the world's third largest private employer, has recently been handed government contracts to provide housing for asylum seekers - a move which has caused controversy.

The deployment of soldiers will add to a military presence at the Games that has already caused upset.

Social housing tenants of London's Fred Wigg Tower were outraged when the MoD announced plans to install a missile battery on the roof of their building.

The residents' legal challenge to block the move was thrown out by the High Court.