Tents banned for Olympics over ‘Occupy’ fears

Tents banned for Olympics over ‘Occupy’ fears

Tents and camping equipment have been banned from the London Olympics over fears that ‘Occupy’ style protests will disrupt the games, home secretary Theresa May announced today.

Home Secretary Theresa May announces the measure at the RUSI olympic security conference.

While speaking on the plan for Olympic security, May confirmed that there is to be a blanket rule outlawing tents and camping equipment to “prevent encampment protests similar to those seen in recent months in the capital”. 

Those attending events at the games will be subject to screening for camping 
equipment with “swift police action” for anyone attempting to sidestep the measure.

Describing encampment protests as “emerging threats”, the home secretary said: “Our approach to such protests will now be based on three aspects.

“Strict security and screening measures to help stop the necessary equipment being brought into Olympic venues, encouraging an immediate response from LOCOG to any encampment that does get through and rapid follow up action by the police using all available powers to remove encampments and equipment.”

The home secretary said the plan is “not intrusive” but there have been concerns over its implementation over the summer.  

“This is the latest in a long line of worrying developments,” said Occupy London supporter Laura Taylor. “It is now clear that the right to assemble and make your voice heard is being treated as a threat to be controlled rather than an essential element of a free society - one that should be celebrated as testament to the strength of our democracy.

“The 2012 Olympics are being held in London, not in Beijing,” she added. “It would be awful if by the time the summer comes round it's harder to tell the difference.”

Occupy London are set to appeal a High Court eviction order which was handed down on 19 January. Protesters have been encamped at St Paul’s Cathedral since 15 October.

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LABOUR ATTACKS BORDER SECURITY MOVE

Ministers were accused by Labour of encouraging illegal immigrants by ending the practice of fingerprinting those caught trying to enter the UK via the Channel Tunnel.

Immigration Minister Damien Green: Fingerprint records have little value

Immigration Minister Damian Green said the record had proved of little value in practice and that border officials would now have more time to search vehicles for offenders.

But shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper attacked the change and said it sent a signal to stowaways that they should "feel free to keep trying" to enter the UK.

Border security has been under the spotlight since it emerged last year that border controls for non-EU nationals had been relaxed - leading a top official to quit.

Mr Green confirmed the change of policy in a letter to Tory MP Roger Gale after he was alerted to it by a constituent who works for the UK Border Agency.

He said that while fingerprints could identify previously discovered illegal immigrants, it was "generally of limited value in helping to secure their removal" if they got into the UK.

UKBA believed the change "will enable its staff to focus on the high priority of searching vehicles and therefore prevent such individuals from even getting to the UK", he wrote.

Yvette Cooper: raises security concerns

A spokesman for the PCS union told The Sunday Times that the end of fingerprinting appeared to be an admission by Mr Green that cuts had left UKBA with insufficient staff.

Calling for an urgent explanation, Ms Cooper said it raised serious concerns about ministers' attitudes to border security.

"By not even bothering to fingerprint anyone, the Government is sending a signal that this is not a serious offence and people should feel free to keep trying. And it makes it harder to identify illegal migrants later on," she said.

"Time and again it seems that checks are being weakened and corners cut."

A UKBA spokesman said: "We work very closely with the French authorities to counter illegal migration - all clandestines are handed straight to the French border police.

"Our controls across the Channel continue to show significant improvements with a 70% reduction in the number of attempts to cross illegally between 2009 and 2011."

Mr Gale said he would raise the issue with ministers when the Commons returns from its Christmas break this week.

PA 2012

FAKE BOMB BREACHES OLYMPIC SECURITY

Police carrying out security tests ahead of the Olympics managed to smuggle a fake bomb on to the main site, it was reported today.

A dummy device is believed to have made it past security staff at the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, on at least one occasion as security measures were scrutinised.

A spokesman for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) refused to comment on the incident but added: "Testing is standard practice in all major security operations.

"Such tests have a key role in developing our capability to ensure that London 2012 is safe and secure and that we are best prepared to detect potential threats before and during the Games.

"Members of the public with tickets should be reassured that such exercises are being staged to ensure their safety, our number one priority."

The Metropolitan Police also said it would not comment on the security breach.

London 2012 has been put at severe terror threat level, the second highest classification.

The Olympics is a symbolic target and this year's Games also marks the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics where the Black September terror group killed 11 Israelis.

Risks from protest groups or natural disasters are also part of the detailed safety planning.

Last month the Ministry of Defence confirmed that 13,500 military personnel, more than the 10,000 that were deployed to Afghanistan, will be part of the 23,700 security force for the Games.

The deployment across all military services includes 3,500, rising to a peak of 7,500, who will provide venue security.

Around 5,000 servicemen and women will support the police and other civil authorities, providing specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and dog teams.

Another 1,000 will provide logistical support.

There will also be a 1,000-strong unarmed contingency force for deployment in the event of an "Olympics-related civil emergency".

The overall 23,700-strong security force will include a mix of military, private security guards and at least 3,000 unpaid London 2012 volunteers who will be used at the start of the security process.

PA 2012