ARmy Rumour SErvice

**cavemandave** · 20-07-2012, 21:27

West Midlands Police alarmed at lack of training given to G4S Olympic security staff

WEST Midlands Police officers plugging the holes left by embattled Olympic security firm G4S have been left “shocked” and “alarmed” by its guards’ lack of training.

In a savage criticism of the shamed company, Ian Edwards, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, said workers learnt more in 25 minutes with one of his officers than during all of their previous time on Olympic duty.

Mr Edwards said his members had seen G4S staff not following procedures, such as checking packages suspected of containing the explosive semtex.

Officers were “genuinely shocked and alarmed” by what they were seeing, he said.

“The more they see, the more concerned we are,” he said.

“Not only has G4S failed to train and recruit enough security personnel, they have also failed to deliver even basic training.

West Midlands Police alarmed at lack of training given to G4S Olympic security staff - Top Stories - News - Birmingham Mail

and in Manchester>

Greater Manchester Police forced to step in to help secure Olympic football matches at Old Trafford after G4S fiasco

Greater Manchester Police confirmed it has been forced to step in to help secure Olympic football matches at Old Trafford because of the G4S fiasco. The force will be adding a 'number of specialist officers' to fill in gaps because the security firm has not been able to recruit enough guards. GMP had previously agreed it would be posting around 100 cops around the ground for the games. These officers will now be supplemented by the extra specialist cops. Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: "Following discussions with LOCOG (London Olympic Games Organising Committee) we have now taken the decision to supply a small number of specialist police officers to assist in the safety and security operation at Old Trafford. “The decision was taken as part of GMP's contingency planning process and will ensure a significant police presence is in place at the stadium for the duration of the Olympic football matches. “The officers will be in place from Sunday and at no point has this move changed the security arrangements for the athletes. "We have worked closely with the security contractor and LOCOG in relation to this matter, as we have throughout the planning phase of the Olympic games. “There will be a minimal impact on policing the local communities that we serve on a daily basis.” The decision comes after the force had to send in more than 30 cops to help secure the Worsley Marriott hotel in Salford ahead of the arrival of Olympic athletes.

Read more at: Greater Manchester Police forced to step in to help secure Olympic football matches at Old Trafford after G4S fiasco | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

**Troy** · 20-07-2012, 23:23

I think that G4S are too big for their own good. They have so many interests, fingers in so many pies, around the world that they just can't know what's going on. At the same time they are so huge that they regard themselves as being above mundane details. Have a look at the history on their website and see if you get the same impression.

Our history | G4S

**udipur** · 20-07-2012, 23:28

As the poster said...

**Hexitele** · 20-07-2012, 23:33

Old Bill should lap this up for all it's worth as they'll be the targets of abuse again in no time at all.

**DB216LOKDVR** · 20-07-2012, 23:39

I am of the opinion that this contract should have been torn up over a week ago and all the G4S staff relieved of thier duties and sent home. (Never to return).

You have a situation now where some G4S Staff 'MAY' be trained to an acceptable standard and some who are not and are bluffing it.

Military Head Sheds and the Police should have sat down and rewrote the staffing requirement and manned it from the day the problem was idenified.

Yes, I know the Tommies would have been messed about, but the sites would be a lot more secured.

There seems to be a lot of grey areas in the current situation and who's going to take the blame if solids hit the air conditioning.

Due to world events when London won the bid, prehaps the Government should have just tasked the security of the games to the Police with Military back up.

**gizmo17** · 20-07-2012, 23:49

Originally Posted by Hexitele

Old Bill should lap this up for all it's worth as they'll be the targets of abuse again in no time at all.

Old Bill are lapping this up and not for the obvious reasons. Ask yourself how many cushy Custody and escort Roles have been lost to G4S.
Plod Fedration are trickle leaking choice storys for choice reasons.

**bakerlite** · 21-07-2012, 09:20

Originally Posted by gizmo17

Old Bill are lapping this up and not for the obvious reasons. Ask yourself how many cushy Custody and escort Roles have been lost to G4S.
Plod Fedration are trickle leaking choice storys for choice reasons.

Agreed but still, a shed load of chickens are returning to the roost. Like Kipling said,

"Let us admit it fairly, as a business people should,
We have had no end of a lesson: it will do us no end of good."

B

**Manley** · 21-07-2012, 09:24

Lessons are being learned...........as per usual, FFS!

**ashford_old_school** · 21-07-2012, 09:28

Originally Posted by Manley

Lessons are being learned...........as per usual, FFS!

No, lessons are being identified. No lessons are being learned!

**Mothman** · 21-07-2012, 09:33

Originally Posted by gizmo17

Old Bill are lapping this up and not for the obvious reasons. Ask yourself how many cushy Custody and escort Roles have been lost to G4S.
Plod Fedration are trickle leaking choice storys for choice reasons.

That's a canny observation and not a criticism, I hope?