London 2012 Security Costs Will Send Budget Soaring

British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan describes increased security budget for 2012 Games as "critical." (Getty Images)According to The Independent on Sunday, London 2012 could end up costing almost $20 billion due to inaccurate security budget projections.

Estimates to protect the event from terrorists now stand at nearly $3 billion, three times the original estimate. This, according to the report, is because officials "vastly underestimated" the cost of security.

A senior official helping to plan the event stated that the new security plan involved drafting the army to protect visitors and athletes. This would include having military helicopters patrol the area and jets on standby to intercept suspicious aircraft. Under Treasury rules, the Ministry of Defence would bill the Olympic organizers for those services.

"Whatever it takes must be spent," Colin Moynihan, British Olympic Association chairman, said. "That is critical."

Moynihan, who was in Australia to meet with Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates, went on to add that the security budget had not been finalized and would be discussed once he was back in London.

"If the security budget is greater than originally conceived, which it is, that is a price you absolutely have to pay to make sure the games are a success and the athletes are secure, and everybody who comes to the country as our guest ... is fully secure." Thousands of officers will be needed to monitor the expected increased traffic flow on mass transit. (Getty Images)

He went on to stress that the increased security budget would not affect other Olympic operations.

However, if the budget is to stay under $18 billion, as recently promised by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and London Mayor Boris Johnson, cuts will have to be made. This could include venue construction and Olympic Village costs or funding for the 2012 "legacy," intended to promote grassroots sport.

Up to 240,000 passengers an hour are expected to use the transport network during the 2012 Games. To match the flow of traffic, the security plan proposes utilize police officers from Scotland Yard and other forces. It also recommends the use of extra officers to identify suspected bombers as well as employing tens of thousands of volunteers to check bags and tickets.

A Home Office spokesman stated that all parties would be working to produce a security plan that everyone could agree on by the end of the year. Many of the proposed officers will come from Scotland Yard. (ATR)"This will cover strategic options for a range of security measures, including fraud and financial crime prevention and protection, counter-terrorism, identity assurance and personal protection."

Officials are hoping to prevent another bombing attack like the one that occurred in London on July 7, 2005. That attack happened the day after the city celebrated winning the 2012 bid.

Written by

Trista McGlamery

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