Northumbria Police step in to provide Olympic security at football games
Police officers have been called in to boost Olympic venue security in Newcastle - only days after troops were asked to fill gaps because of staffing shortages at G4S.
The request follows the fact that only a fraction of G4S staff reported for duty at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead on Saturday.
Just ten out of an expected 58 security guards turned up at the hotel and officers from Northumbria Police were drafted in to help.
The news comes just 10 days before the first Olympic football match kicks off at St James' Park. G4S issued this statement:
– G4S"Some venues are being supported by police in the short tem while the private security workforce is mobilised.
This situation is being rectified over the coming days, which should lead to the withdrawal of police from those roles."
Just a few days ago it emerged that the Army is being brought in to fill security gaps at other Olympic venues because of a G4S's recruitment problems.
Meanwhile Northumbria Police say that helping out with security at Olympic venues on Tyneside won't affect their normal service to the public.
– Northumbria Police statement" We continue to provide support to LOCOG and G4S as the Games security regime is implemented ... This activity is well within the capability of Northumbria Police and there will be no reduction in the policing services provided to the communities in our area."
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