Strathclyde officers ready to 'plug the gap' in Olympic security

Scottish police officers will be forced to work extra hours to "plug the gap" in Olympic security following private security firm G4S's failure to recruit enough staff, the force has confirmed.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said that the shortfall of qualified security guards meant Scottish Olympic events would require more officers from the force than had been expected.

However, in accordance with force policy the spokeswoman would not give details of the numbers of officers affected or whether holidays or other leave had been cancelled as a result.

The spokeswoman said: "Due to a shortfall of G4S staff attending at events in Strathclyde, our officers will be plugging the gap.

"We are in communication with Locog (the Games' Organising Committee) and we will be deciding locally how this will work and constantly reviewing the arrangements."

She added that other Scottish forces would not be asked to send any officers to Strathclyde to assist, and that event security would not be compromised as a result of the changes.

The failure of G4S to provide enough staff to cover events has already led to 3500 soldiers being brought in to provide security at the Games. Eight forces in England will also be forced to delegate more officers to event security, it has been confirmed.

Last week, Home Secretary Theresa May told MPs that ministers were only told of the "absolute gap in the numbers" on Wednesday.

But Ms May denied it was a "shambles" and insisted there was "no question of Olympic security being compromised".

Speaking in the Commons on Monday, she claimed G4S had "repeatedly" assured the UK Government that they would be able to meet the arranged staff numbers.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday she has sought reassurances from Ms May over the supply of security staff at the eight football matches that will be held at Hampden between July 25 and August 3.

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