OLYMPICS DESK     

Plans to enhance the security of the Olympic Park progressed today as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced procurement was underway of contractors to provide security guarding and access control systems for the Olympic Park as well as other measures to ensure the safety and security of the site workforce and local people.

Construction began on the Olympic Stadium last month and will start on the Aquatics Centre ahead of schedule this month. Approximately 2500 workers are on site at present, building to 4000 at the end of the year.

The measures to increase the security and safety of the Olympic Park, which will be phased in during the course of this year, include:

    * the replacement of the temporary hoardings that currently surround the Olympic Park with a more substantial perimeter fence starting later this year subject to planning consent.

    * procurement of a security guarding service for the Olympic Park already underway.

    * procurement of access control systems already underway, including a state of the art biometric system for quick identification checks, such as facial or hand shape recognition.

The perimeter fence, which will be fully in place ahead of the peak of construction activity in 2009, will be see-through and enable local people to watch the construction of the Olympic Park first hand. Parts will remain in Games time.

The fence design, which will shortly be submitted for planning permission, has been chosen to help ensure the security and safety of the Olympic Park workforce and the general public without imposing on the surrounding environment. The fence will be 3.6 metres high with a power topping section on top which will act as an effective deterrent but not present any danger to public health or wildlife. It will feature clear and prominent health and safety warning signs. Network Rail, for example, uses a similar solution for security critical facilities.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said:

“As we enter the Big Build phase it is essential that we scale in robust and effective plans to ensure the security and safety of both the Olympic Park workforce – which will number around 9,000 at peak - and the surrounding communities. 
“We are building on industry best practice to put the systems and technology in place to make sure that people with the appropriate training, equipment and authority can access the site efficiently.

“Given the size of the site and high profile of the Olympic project it is also important to have a perimeter fence that is an effective deterrent whilst also safe for the local community who live nearby. 
“As the fence is installed in the coming months people will be able to watch first-hand the London 2012 venues coming out of the ground as construction starts.”

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Bryan, head of the Met's Olympic Security Directorate, said

"The procurement of further measures to enhance security on the Olympic Park is very encouraging.  This clearly demonstrates the ODA's commitment to ensure the safety and security of their workforce, local communities and visitors as well as minimising the risk of crime.”