The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the UK’s “greatest security challenge” since the Second World War, a Home Office minister has said.
Lord West, who is leading a review into security for the Games, added that the terrorist threat was likely to be set at ‘severe’, the second-highest level.
“We do not underestimate the scale of the Olympics challenge,” he insisted.
But he stressed that, at the same time, it was important not to frighten people by being heavy handed.
“The Olympics and Paralympics are about sport and not security,” added Lord West. “We want the world to be inspired by sport in London, and our security plans have to strike a balance between visible security and the welcome that we want.
“There is no doubt that the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games promises to be the greatest Games in history - and possibly the greatest security challenge the UK has faced since the Second World War.”
