2012 London Olympics Pose Biggest Security Risk In Decades

London faces the largest security challenge since World War II when it hosts the 2012 Olympics, British security minister Alan West said Friday.
West told a London conference that the British capital will almost certainly be at a higher risk of a terrorist attack as an estimated 15,000 athletes, 14,000 coaches and officials and 20,000 media workers arrive for the games.
He said the country's threat level will likely rise to severe – the second highest rating on a five point scale – meaning an attack is considered highly likely.
"We are not complacent. We do not underestimate the scale of the Olympics challenge," West told the Royal United Services Institute think tank.
West, a former head of Britain's navy and defense intelligence staff, said the event would be "possibly the greatest security challenge the U.K. has faced since the Second World War."
Since 2001, Britain has invested heavily in anti-terrorism measures, increasing the size of domestic spy agency MI5 and raising the country's security budget to $6 billion.
The minister said a $1 billion fund has been set aside specifically for Olympic security.
West said work since the July 2005 transit network attacks in London, which killed 52 passengers and four suicide bombers, had "made the nation safer, but we are not safe – the threat is still there."
The London bombings came the day after the British capital was awarded the 2012 Olympics.
West said plans to secure the Olympics would reflect changing tactics used by terrorists.
He pointed to the use of boats to launch attacks last November which killed 166 people in Mumbai, India, and methods deployed in Lahore, Pakistan, in March in a gun assault on the Sri Lankan national cricket team.
Britain has installed barriers to defend against car bombs at most sports stadiums, transport hubs and shopping malls, and provided new guidelines on protecting crowded spaces. During the Olympics, police speed boats will patrol the River Thames.
West said that, despite the likely threats, he is confident in plans to secure the London games. If medals were awarded for security planning, Britain "would be on top of the podium wearing a gold," he said.

Unveils £700m deals to London 2010

The arrangers of the 2012 Olympic Games in London are putting £700m of contracts related to goods and services for the event out to tender.
There will be eight categories of goods and services for firms to win work.
The chairman of the London Olympics' organising committee, Sebastian Coe, said the scale of the contracts on offer was "potentially massive".
"The organising committee is now at a stage where we move from planning to delivery," he said.
"With less than three years to go, we're starting the procurement process for everything we need to stage a memorable Games.
"The scope of this is potentially massive - from sporting equipment to catering services and beyond."
He added that the games should be as much about a triumph for the "bottom line" as it was about the sports "finishing line".
'Opportunities'
Firms seeking to win contracts will have to abide by the rules set out by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Locog).
The vast majority of Locog's procurement will go through the website Compete For, an online service for matching potential suppliers with games-related business opportunities.
"There are many opportunities for companies of all sizes to get involved with London 2012 - whether it's directly through Locog or through one of our sponsors, stakeholders or suppliers further down the supply chain," said Locog procurement director Gerry Walsh.
"The opportunities are out there and I would urge anyone who is interested to sign up to our procurement portal Compete For."
'Opens the door'
Meanwhile, although the majority of contracts have now been granted by the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA) - responsible for the games' infrastructure, there is still up to £1bn of goods and services work still to be awarded.
Contracts available through the ODA include facilities management, design and temporary construction.
And it is also hoped that UK firms can use experience gained in seeking London 2012 work to enable them to win contracts on offer from other host major sporting events.
Forthcoming global events include the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games, the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Russia's hosting of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games and Brazil's hosting of both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.
"There are still plenty of opportunities for British businesses to benefit from the Olympics," said Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.
"With host countries like, Russia, Brazil and South Africa needing to develop their infrastructure beyond just the sports events there is huge potential for UK businesses to get involved and London 2012 opens the door for them."